College Confidential

Monday morning Big 12 coaches teleconference notes

Next up is Baylor coach Art Briles.

On Baylor's matchup with Rice, Briles said the old Southwest Conference rivalry doesn't have much meaning to it. He said the reason for that is the teams have continued to play on a regular basis since the SWC disbanded.

Briles said his opinion does not matter on conference realingment and would not comment on the subject.

 

Next up is Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville.

Tubberville said his team listened to George Strait and Waylon Jennings during the Red Raiders delay on Saturday.

He has been extremely pleased with the performance of QB Seth Doege and WR Darrin Moore, who have put up big-time numbers through two games.

 

Next up is OSU coach Mike Gundy.

On having a short week following the Cowboys' marathon game on Saturday, Gundy said it shouldn't necessarily affect their preparation or performance.

On the game going into early Sunday morning: "I was not excited about our players playing the football game at 2 or 3 in the morning....I know I was kind of like a zombie." Gundy said he was worried about his players well-being.

Gundy said he was not happy with the way OSU played against Tulsa and said his team played soft and lacked enthusiasm.

Gundy said once 11:30 p.m. rolled around, his suggestion was to not play the football game and that he things ultimately the call was Tulsa's, given it was a home game for them.

 

Next up is Sooners coach Bob Stoops.

Stoops said he leaves realingment talk to Oklahoma's AD and president, but that he has been consulted about it.

On keeping the Big 12 and regional rivalries together, Stoops said, "As the landscape changes, you have to change with it."

On not having LB Travis Lewis for the first few games, Stoops said Lewis did what he had always done and still stepped up and been a vocal leader for the Sooners.

 

First up is Texas coach Mack Brown.

Brown said this year's team has latched on to the junior and senior leadership more so than last year's squad did.

On realingment, Brown said wherever Texas ends up will not have an effect on the Longhorns' recruiting but that having to travel across the country will be a negative thing for the family of recruits.

Brown said playing in the Rose Bowl has a special personal meaning to him, as some of his fondest memories come from that venue.

More on realingnment, Brown said focusing on high school fans, high school coaches and Texas and college fans is the most important factor.

On an early bye week, Brown said it is favorable for the Longhorns given their tough stretch of opponents coming up.

ACC expansion announcement clouds Big 12 future, could limit Texas' realignment options

The Big 12’s tenuous future took another hit Sunday, when ACC commissioner John Swofford announced the additions of Pittsburgh and Syracuse, a move that is expected to open the door to widespread conference realignment and likely will send a four-team collection of Big 12 schools to the Pac-12.

Because Pitt and Syracuse are current members of the Big East, the league that TCU will join next season, TCU’s future conference home could become a tenuous place -- just like the Big 12 -- if more realignment unfolds, as expected, later this week.

In announcing the ACC additions, Swofford said he is “not philosophically opposed” to increasing membership to 16 schools but noted that it would be “preferable” but not mandatory to continue adding schools located in the Eastern time zone.

The ACC’s expressed preference for more East Coast teams, combined with some creative expansion plans placed on the table by Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott, caused Texas officials to begin looking strongly Sunday at joining Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech in what would become the Pac-16 -- a move that almost happened last summer.

Big 12 administrators with knowledge of the situation said the Pac-16 idea appeared to be gaining traction Sunday, with Pac-12 officials suggesting a way to modify the Longhorn Network to fit under existing league guidelines while allowing Texas to keep the brunt of its third-tier TV rights revenues. Administrators also indicated the likelihood of dividing the league into four-team pods for travel purposes, with Tech, Texas, Oklahoma and OSU all becoming part of the same pod to minimize travel concerns.

One Big 12 administrator said Sunday that nothing is certain but “all signs seem to be pointing” in the direction of the Pac-16 for the Big 12 schools.

Texas and Oklahoma regents meet Monday, with presidents at both schools expected to be authorized to take action in regard to realignment.

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott made it clear Saturday that his league could offer “a lot of flexibility and a lot of creativity” to its divisional alignments, including adoption of a pod system, and that idea seemed to be growing on administrators Sunday. He also expressed optimism about tweaking the LHN to fit under existing Pac-12 guidelines because the league has a long-standing relationship with ESPN, with contracted with Texas to create the LHN. 

Scott said the Pac-12 plans to “be at the forefront of changes in the college landscape” and has had discussions with “multiple” schools in recent weeks. But the league has yet to receive any new applications for membership.

“But … I’m not going to answer that question every day,” Scott said, smiling.

In the posting about Texas’ meeting, school officials said regents will take “appropriate action regarding potential legal issues related to athletic conference membership and contracting” and will authorize a “delegation to act on” conference alignment.

Multiple Big 12 sources have said Oklahoma’s preference is an expanded Pac-12. Texas had been looking heavily at the ACC before that league’s expansion plan appeared to veer off strongly in an East Coast direction.

Asked about Texas during Sunday’s announcement of ACC expansion, Swofford declined comment and later called the ACC’s equal revenue-sharing model “sacred,” a stance that could make it difficult for the league to add Texas and its 20-year, $300 million agreement with ESPN for the Longhorn Network to its inventory of schools.

--Jimmy Burch

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Interesting day shaping up on college realignment front that could impact Big 12, TCU

This should be an interesting day on the college football realignment front, especially for Big 12 schools. And TCU.

CBSSports.com reported this morning that Pittsburgh and Syracuse have applied for membership in the ACC, a report that has been confirmed by the Associated Press. The CBSSports.com report said the two schools are “likely gone” from the Big East, which could be the first domino to officially drop on the college realignment front.

That could trigger widespread movement nationally, impacting both the Big 12 – where Texas A&M has been approved as a conditional member of the SEC, pending waivers of legal claims by Baylor and other Big 12 schools related to the move – and also impacting TCU, which has agreed to join the Big East next season.

An ACC official told CBSSports.com that league officials have been approached by 10 schools in regard to expansion, adding that Texas has “reached out” to the ACC but any speculation about the Longhorns joining the league would be “premature.”

That information dovetails with information from Big 12 sources indicating Texas’ potential options include an expanded ACC as well as the Pac-12, among others. Texas officials have publicly expressed a desire to remain in the Big 12 but began contemplating other options after a Sunday meeting with a delegation from Oklahoma.

Texas plays today at UCLA, a Pac-12 member. The contest could provide an opportunity for school officials to meet with Pac-12 administrators, including commissioner Larry Scott.

Multiple Big 12 sources have indicated OU prefers a move to the Pac-12, possibly in conjunction with Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech. Texas’ preference is less clear.

Regents at both Texas and Oklahoma will meet Monday to take action in regard to conference realignment. At both schools, the anticipated result will be to authorize each school president _ Texas’ Bill Powers and Oklahoma’s David Boren _ to take action in regard to conference realignment, similar to what Texas A&M regents did on Aug. 15 with president R. Bowen Loftin.

Loftin notified Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe of A&M’s official withdrawal on Aug. 31 and the school has was approved Sept. 6 as a conditional member, pending a waiver of legal claims by Baylor and other Big 12 schools.

Boren has indicated that OU officials expect to have clarity about their future conference home by the end of the month and today’s activity on the realignment front suggests that timetable my apply to lots of other schools as well.

_ Jimmy Burch

Texas A&M inducts six athletes into its Hall of Fame

Texas A&M inducted six athletes tonight into its Letterman’s Association Hall of Fame: Chet Brooks (football), Cody Risien (football), Katy Doyle (track), Gay McNutt (softball), Ronnie Peret (basketball) and Brian Thomas (baseball). In addition, Dr. Christine Townsend and Dr. Joe Townsend were inducted into the Hall of Honor and Ed Kruse received the Letterman’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

_ Jimmy Burch

Texas regents set Monday meeting to discuss conference realignment as Big 12 future grows cloudier

The Big 12’s long-term future continues to grow cloudier.

Texas regents have called a special meeting for Monday to discuss and take “appropriate action regarding potential legal issues related to athletic conference membership and contracting.”

The 3 p.m. meeting via teleconference, posted today by school officials, also will allow regents to take “appropriate action” in regard to a “delegation to act on” conference realignment.

Texas’ meeting will be held on the same day that Oklahoma regents convene to “discuss potential legal ramifications of conference realignment options” and “take any appropriate action.”

Big 12 sources said the likely outcome of both sessions will be to authorize each school president _ Texas’ Bill Powers and Oklahoma’s David Boren _ to take action in regard to conference realignment, similar to what Texas A&M regents did on Aug. 15 with president R. Bowen Loftin.

Loftin notified Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe of A&M’s official withdrawal on Aug. 31 and the school has been approved as a conditional member of the Southeastern Conference, pending a waiver of legal claims by Baylor and other Big 12 schools.

Multiple Big 12 sources have indicated Oklahoma prefers a move to the Pac-12 but Texas’ plans are less clear. Texas officials have been public in their desire to remain part of the Big 12 but began actively contemplating other options after a Sunday meeting with a delegation from Oklahoma.

A Big 12 source said today that the situation regarding Texas is “very fluid” at present.

Texas sources said the school’s potential options include a move to an expanded Atlantic Coast Conference, where Texas could keep its 20-year, $300 million contract with ESPN for the Longhorn Network. A move to the Pac-12 _ probably in conjunction with Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech _ remains under discussion but would require tweaking the Longhorn Network to become one of the league’s regional networks.

A move to the Big Ten, which does not currently allow single-school or regional networks, is not considered viable unless the Big Ten alters existing rules to accommodate the LHN. Texas could become an independent but school officials have said they would prefer to remain in a conference.

_ Jimmy Burch

Driving to TCU's football game Saturday? Read this:

TCU's official release to fans attending the Horned Frogs home game against Louisiana-Monroe, Sept. 17:

DIRECTIONS TO GAME DAY PARKING LOTS

 

Directions From South IH-35 to Paschal High School Lot/Sandage Lot:
Take Berry St. exit and turn right onto Berry St. Follow Berry St. to Forest Park, turn right onto Forest Park. Parking lot will be on the right after the school.
*For Sandage lot, go straight passed Forest Park and at second light turn right onto Sandage. Parking lot will be on the right.

Direction from North IH-35 to Paschal High School Lot/ Sandage Lot:
Take Berry St. exit and turn left onto Berry St. Follow Berry St. to Forest Park, turn right onto Forest Park. Parking lot will be on the right after the school.
* For Sandage lot, go straight passed Forest Park and at second light turn right onto Sandage. Parking lot will be on the right.

Directions from East I-30 to Sandage Lot:
Take University Dr. exit and turn right onto University Dr. Follow University Dr. to Berry St. and take a left on Berry St. Turn Left onto Sandage, lot will be on right.

Directions From West I-30 to Sandage Lot:
Take University Dr. exit and turn right onto University Dr. Follow University Dr. to Berry St. and take a left on Berry St. Turn Left onto Sandage, lot will be on right.

Directions from East I-20 to McKinney lot:
Take Hulen St. exit and turn left onto Hulen St. Turn left onto Briarhaven Rd. Turn right onto Library Ln. Turn left into parking lot.

Directions from West I-20 to McKinney lot:
Take Hulen St. exit and turn right onto Hulen St. Turn left onto Briarhaven Rd. Turn right onto Library Ln. Turn left into parking lot.

PARKING INFORMATION
Parking around Amon G. Carter Stadium is reserved for Frog Club members with season parking passes.  Season parking lots will open FIVE (5) hours prior to kick-off.

Handicap Parking:
Handicap parking is available in Lot 13 East (Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium lot on West Berry).  Shuttle service will begin 2 hours prior to kick-off for drop-off in front of Daniel Meyer Coliseum and the last shuttle will depart same location 45 minutes after the conclusion of the game.  Parking is limited, so spectators are asked to arrive early. Spectators with a valid state issued handicap hangtag or license plate, requesting to park in the handicap lot will be charged $10 based on availability.

For more information on parking and tailgating, please call the TCU Frog Club at 817 257-7700.

FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE WITH FREE PARKING
Shuttle Service Locations:
Free game day parking and shuttle service is available from the TCU parking lot on Sandage and Berry as well as Paschal High School located on Berry Street and McKinney Bible Church on Hulen St.  Shuttles will begin 2 hours prior to kick-off and the last shuttle will depart Amon G. Carter Stadium 45 minutes after the conclusion of the game.  Fans may also park on the east side of campus (across University Drive) and walk to Amon G. Carter Stadium.
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Kickoff is set for 1:06 p.m. Central time.  Gates to Amon G. Carter Stadium will open at 11:00 a.m.
Pre-Game Give-Away:  Free Schedule Magnets at the Gates to the first 10,000 fans.  32,000 Mist Fans on seats.
Frog Alley Pavilion: Visit the Frog Alley Pavilion which opens at 10:30 a.m. to the public where Boomerjack’s will be selling hamburger and chicken sandwich combos for $7 with fries.  Cold beverages, including beer and wine, will also be available for purchase.  The tent will be located outside of the East side of the Stadium.

Student Entrance:
All TCU students are admitted FREE to regular season football games.  Each student must present a valid TCU student ID card at Gate 8 on the east side of Amon G. Carter Stadium for admission.  Tickets are not needed.  Just show your TCU student ID for admittance.  All student sections are general admission.  Admission is based on a first-come, first-serve basis, so seating is based on availability.

TAILGATING POLICIES

The following policies are in place for the parking lots;
1. No kegs will be allowed in parking lots. Personal containers only, no glass please.
2. No alcohol allowed in Lot 5 or the Student Section of Lot 3
3. The drinking age in Texas is 21. Please observe all local and state laws.
4. Fire extinguishers (ABC) or a bucket of water MUST accompany any BBQ or pit.                                           Dump stations are available in Lots 1, 3, and 6 for coals and/or ashes.
5. Please place all trash into trash receptacles and help keep our stadium clean.
6. One parking pass, one parking spot. Please tailgate behind your vehicle and keep tailgating items adjacent to front or rear of your vehicle. Tailgating or gathering is not                                            permitted in fire lanes or in the road way.
7. Violations will be cited by FWPD or TCUPD. TABC rules govern all alcohol usage.
8. Tents are not allowed in the interior of parking lots in the drive or walkways.
9. Be courteous, have fun and GO FROGS!!!

 

ESPN report: former Texas aide Bryant dismissed after investigation into sexual harassment allegation

Cleve Bryant, former associate athletics director for football operations at Texas, was dismissed from the school in March because a university investigation determined he made unwanted sexual advances toward a female administrative assistant. ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” show reported the reason for the dismissal today, based on documents obtained from the university’s investigation. Bryant, who is married, denied the allegations during interviews related to the investigation. Texas officials declined comment. Bryant spent the 1992-94 seasons as the Longhorns’ wide receivers coach under former coach John Mackovic and returned in 1998 to oversee football operations for current coach Mack Brown.

Link to ESPN story:
 
http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/6973905/texas-longhorns-cleve-bryant-was-fired-sexual-harassment
 

_ Jimmy Burch

OU regents to discuss conference alignment at Monday meeting that could impact Big 12's future

Oklahoma regents will discuss conference realignment at a Monday meeting, based on the agenda posted today by school officials.

A decision by the school to leave the Big 12 (likely in conjunction with Oklahoma State), coupled with Texas A&M’s planned move to the Southeastern Conference, could doom the 10-member league.

The OU agenda said regents “will discuss potential legal ramifications of athletic conference realignment options” and “take any appropriate action.” Texas A&M’s SEC invitation, approved last week on a conditional basis, remains in limbo until Baylor and other Big 12 schools waive their rights to legal claims in regard to the move.

Although multiple Big 12 sources have said they expect OU to pursue membership in an expanded Pac-12, Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he remains hopeful about the league’s future because “there’s a legal basis for the Big 12 to go on and, certainly, I would expect that to continue.”

If the Big 12 remained intact for the 2012-13 school year _ without OU, OSU and A&M _ its remaining members could collect substantial withdrawal fees from the three departing schools. Based on projected revenues, league bylaws would call for A&M to forfeit roughly $28 million in revenues to play in the SEC for the 2012 football season. But last year’s departees, Nebraska and Colorado, negotiated departure figures at a much lower rate than those specified under league bylaws.

_ Jimmy Burch

Texas to show 12 men's basketball games on Longhorn Network this season

Texas will televise 12 men’s basketball games on the Longhorn Network this season, school officials announced today. The first telecast will be Nov. 13 against Boston University, one of 10 games in Austin to be aired by the network.

LHN also will show two games from the TicketCity Legends Classic in East Rutherford, N.J. (Nov. 19 and Nov. 21), with those games being simulcast on ESPN3. Among the Longhorns’ home games that will be carried by LHN include visits by North Texas (Nov. 29) and UT-Arlington (Dec. 6).

Three Big 12 conference games will be aired on Texas’ 24-hour network in conjunction with ESPN: Oklahoma State at Texas (Jan. 7), Iowa State at Texas (Jan. 24) and Texas Tech at Texas (Feb. 4). LHN’s final men’s basketball telecast will be the Tech-Texas game.

The full schedule of LHN telecasts includes:
Date                 Time (all times Central)     Matchup
Sunday, Nov. 13      6 p.m.                       Boston University at Texas
Saturday, Nov. 19*   8 p.m.                       Texas vs. Oregon State
Monday, Nov. 21*     5:30/8 p.m.                  Texas vs. N.C. State/Vanderbilt
Saturday, Nov. 26    7 p.m.                       Sam Houston State at Texas
Tuesday, Nov. 29     7 p.m.                       North Texas at Texas
Tuesday, Dec. 6      7 p.m.                       UT-Arlington at Texas
Saturday, Dec. 10    7 p.m.                       Texas State at Texas
Tuesday, Dec. 13     7 p.m.                       Nicholls State at Texas
Saturday, Dec. 31    1 p.m.                       Rice at Texas
Saturday, Jan. 7     6 p.m.                       Oklahoma State at Texas
Tuesday, Jan. 24     8 p.m.                       Iowa State at Texas
Saturday, Feb. 4     6 p.m.                       Texas Tech at Texas
*Indicates games played in the TicketCity Legends Classic from the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J. These games will co-exist on LHN with ESPN3.All other games listed are exclusive to LHN.

_ Jimmy Burch

 

A&M reserve RB Jones leaves team citing personal reasons

Texas A&M running back Mister Jones, a redshirt freshman from Littleton, Colo., has left the team and withdrawn from school. Coach Mike Sherman said Jones cited personal reasons for his departure.

_ Jimmy Burch