ACC to hire Northwestern AD as next commissioner

[HailToPitt725]

At first glance, this seems like a good hire. Was apparently the candidate that the majority of B1G ADs preferred to be their next commissioner.

Article focuses on the ACC’s contract dilemma with ESPN and speculates on expansion.

 

[ThePanthers]

Seems like a strong hire.

Swofford I thought did s good job expanding and keeping the conference together as well as getting the network launched.

They do need to get the national espn contract updated to close some of the gap with the sec and big 10. Will be interested in how they do that.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

1st order of business:

Fix ACC Basketball which has morphed into one of the worst power conferences.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Seems credible and a perfect fit for .... the B10 commish.
My guess is the southern ACC fb schools won't be thrilled.

 

[drp1tt]

1st order of business:

Fix ACC Basketball which has morphed into one of the worst power conferences.

Really? This goes in cycles. Duke and UNC followed Kentucky’s lead w one and dones and when that happens you are going to see more up and downs and less consistency as a program. So the Big 10 and Big 12 appears to be stronger this year but I still feel that top to bottom the ACC is pretty strong.

 

[ThePanthers]

Seems credible and a perfect fit for .... the B10 commish.
My guess is the southern ACC fb schools won't be thrilled.

I dont get this take.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Really? This goes in cycles. Duke and UNC followed Kentucky’s lead w one and dones and when that happens you are going to see more up and downs and less consistency as a program. So the Big 10 and Big 12 appears to be stronger this year but I still feel that top to bottom the ACC is pretty strong.

The ACC was horrendous last year. They were only going to get 27% of their teams (4) in the tournament last season. Those are A10 numbers and its completely unacceptable especially with a new network. The league looks even worse this year. Probably looking at 4-5 bids again. ACC basketball has a major problem in that the other leagues have went all in on big-time coaches and have left the ACC behind.

 

[NCanton Panther]

The ACC was horrendous last year. They were only going to get 27% of their teams (4) in the tournament last season. Those are A10 numbers and its completely unacceptable especially with a new network. The league looks even worse this year. Probably looking at 4-5 bids again. ACC basketball has a major problem in that the other leagues have went all in on big-time coaches and have left the ACC behind.

So how does the ACC commish fix it. Manipulate conference schedules to favor certain teams, throw more $ to certain teams, get a better contract with ESPN to throw more $ to all teams, ??

 

[ThePanthers]

So how does the ACC commish fix it. Manipulate conference schedules to favor certain teams, throw more $ to certain teams, get a better contract with ESPN to throw more $ to all teams, ??

Let him go. He's on a roll.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

So how does the ACC commish fix it. Manipulate conference schedules to favor certain teams, throw more $ to certain teams, get a better contract with ESPN to throw more $ to all teams, ??

They are paying him enough so he better think of something because ACC basketball is bad.

 

[pittdan77]

Phillips would be a great AD for any school and he's been involved in the hierarchy of NCAA sports. He's really elevated NU athletics while actually promoting academics. Knows his way around the two major sports but also has a lot of experience in the Olympic sports. Seems like a good fit for the ACC.

Whisky will probably chip in to help pay his buyout. Just kidding.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

Copy and mimicking the big 10 as much as possible. Good move by the acc.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Copy and mimicking the big 10 as much as possible. Good move by the acc.

This I agree with.

 

[HailToPitt725]

For those that didn’t read the article, this tidbit stood out:

“ESPN isn’t in the business of ripping up contracts that are lopsided in its favor, which means something seismic like a membership addition would be needed to shake up the deal.”

Could ACC expansion be on the horizon? If so, who do they/we target? I’d imagine persuading Notre Dame to become a full-time member would be top priority, but possibly someone like WVU? Try to poach a northeast school from the Big Ten?

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

For those that didn’t read the article, this tidbit stood out:

“ESPN isn’t in the business of ripping up contracts that are lopsided in its favor, which means something seismic like a membership addition would be needed to shake up the deal.”

Could ACC expansion be on the horizon? If so, who do they/we target? I’d imagine persuading Notre Dame to become a full-time member would be top priority, but possibly someone like WVU? Try to poach a northeast school from the Big Ten?

The notion that adding West Virginia would be enough of a "seismic" change to make ESPN give the ACC more money might be the most hilarious sports related thing ever posted on this board in the non-SMF post division. And if by "a northeast school from the Big Ten" you mean either Maryland or Rutgers that would be even funnier.

 

[HailToPitt725]

The notion that adding West Virginia would be enough of a "seismic" change to make ESPN give the ACC more money might be the most hilarious sports related thing ever posted on this board in the non-SMF post division. And if by "a northeast school from the Big Ten" you mean either Maryland or Rutgers that would be even funnier.

I never made that notion, just offering suggestions. What other schools are there to poach in the ACC’s footprint? Try and poach an SEC school, or perhaps Texas from the Big XII? I’d imagine that would be just as unlikely as any of the other options.

Also, ESPN wouldn’t “give the ACC more money” because of those schools, but they’d get more money in the process if one of those schools are added with Notre Dame to get to 16.

 

[ThePanthers]

The notion that adding West Virginia would be enough of a "seismic" change to make ESPN give the ACC more money might be the most hilarious sports related thing ever posted on this board in the non-SMF post division. And if by "a northeast school from the Big Ten" you mean either Maryland or Rutgers that would be even funnier.

I dont think its so much wvu would be bringing that value themselves but it will allow the contract to be opened to renegotiate larger fees in general.

People laughed at those notions 7 years ago but umd and Rutgers opened up the big contract, mizzou and Texas am for the sec and Utah and Colorado for the pac 12 and pitt and cuse for the acc. I'd say Texas am would be considered a big get but all of those moves brought more money for all schools.

Don't get me wrong, not all schools would be able to do that. Bringing on east Carolina or someone won't do that but I think the majority of p5 schools wou

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

I never made that notion

Sure you did.

possibly someone like WVU

Also, ESPN wouldn’t “give the ACC more money” because of those schools, but they’d get more money in the process if one of those schools are added with Notre Dame to get to 16.

ESPN won't give an extra penny for adding West Virginia or any similar team. If they add Notre Dame and someone else, all the extra money that the ACC might happen to get would be because of Notre Dame, not because of the other school.

The only schools that would move the needle enough to make a significant difference in the television contract and that aren't just someone being silly (so Alabama is not on the list) are Notre Dame, Texas and probably the nitters. And I can't imagine any scenario where the nitters would make the move.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

People laughed at those notions 7 years ago but umd and Rutgers opened up the big contract, mizzou and Texas am for the sec and Utah and Colorado for the pac 12 and pitt and cuse for the acc. I'd say Texas am would be considered a big get but all of those moves brought more money for all schools.

Because those moves were all made with the conference networks in mind. But now all the P5 leagues already have conference networks (or a school's network that keeps a full conference network from happening). The low hanging fruit has been picked. Which the Big 12 found out when they proposed to ESPN that they expand so that their contract could be reopened and ESPN basically told them that they could add teams but they wouldn't be getting any more money. Which is why the Big 12 stopped at 10 rather than go back to 12. 12 would have been just two more slices of the same sized pie.

 

[HailToPitt725]

Sure you did.

Again, nowhere did I make the notion that WVU alone would be a “seismic” move to earn more money from ESPN.

I do agree with what you said regarding expansion/conference networks and I agree that Notre Dame would be the one driving in the additional revenue. However, do you think the ACC would add no one else and stay pat at 15? That is why I speculated about adding another school, not because they would bring in value by themselves.

If you’re saying that only adding Notre Dame out of the three you mentioned wouldn’t be enough to move the needle, then that’s a different argument. However, I’m pretty sure we’re on the same page here...

 

[joeydavid]

1st order of business:

Fix ACC Basketball which has morphed into one of the worst power conferences.

Dude, give it up.

 

[joeydavid]

Sure you did.







ESPN won't give an extra penny for adding West Virginia or any similar team. If they add Notre Dame and someone else, all the extra money that the ACC might happen to get would be because of Notre Dame, not because of the other school.

The only schools that would move the needle enough to make a significant difference in the television contract and that aren't just someone being silly (so Alabama is not on the list) are Notre Dame, Texas and probably the nitters. And I can't imagine any scenario where the nitters would make the move.

His time at ND can't hurt obviously.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

I just read an article about him. Looks like a really strong hire. I am gathering some of the Big 10 is concerned over the hiring of Kevin Warren to replace Jim Delany and that Phillips was the most desired candidate but they (the B1G) went in a more trendy direction.

I particularly like Phillips for two reasons. 1) He is not a good ol' Carolina boy. No other explanation on this is necessary 2) but maybe importantly, he has presided (successfully) over a University in a major city, a major Pro Sports city. Which I am sure the challenges that Pitt faces he can better understand and appreciate than say someone from a Clemson, Penn State or Alabama. And this resonates with not just us, but GT, Miami and BC.

 

[ThePanthers]

Because those moves were all made with the conference networks in mind. But now all the P5 leagues already have conference networks (or a school's network that keeps a full conference network from happening). The low hanging fruit has been picked. Which the Big 12 found out when they proposed to ESPN that they expand so that their contract could be reopened and ESPN basically told them that they could add teams but they wouldn't be getting any more money. Which is why the Big 12 stopped at 10 rather than go back to 12. 12 would have been just two more slices of the same sized pie.

I know networks were a large driver. But it also added to their tier 1 contracts as well.

I know espn said it wouldn't add more if the big xii expanded, but they were looking at schools that weren't p5 teams. Even though there has been a lot of conference realignment over the past 20 years, essentially all teams and maybe a handful more that were at the big boy table are still there. Utah, tcu and Louisville have been added. Temple is gone. Cincy unconnected and usf had short stints.

Time will tell though. I do agree with you that nd is the prize and the only one that would make a "seismic" shift.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

TIGER-PAUL said:
Seems credible and a perfect fit for .... the B10 commish.
My guess is the southern ACC fb schools FANS won't be thrilled.

I dont get this take.

Fixed..ah here we go..

Happy they didn't hire the ESPN executive, who I expect would have been hunky dory with the current ESPN contract.

Not happy they went to the Big 10 and Midwest to hire. I'm profoundly unimpressed with every midwestern/Big10 asset that has shuffled through the ACC recently. Mike Bobinski was a world class f*** up at GT. Kevin White at Duke wouldn't know how to run a football program if given Alabama's resources. Heather Lyke at Pittsburgh ... because "The Factory" at EMU is apparently a promotional bell ringer for Pittsburgh (WTF Pitt??? That's maybe the worst hire for AD in the conference right now.) Debbie Yow is recycled Maryland goods that has failed to achieve anything in her rather lengthy career now. Bubba Cunningham wasn't some miracle worker at Ball State or Tulsa. Or UNC. Whit Babcock is the Lane Kiffin of ADs .... only spends 3-4 years at a place, doesn't do much, somehow gets promoted onwards anyway. Vince Tyra at Louisville ... jeez. We knew it wouldn't be as good of a hire as Jurich but hiring a Kentucky baseball player to be AD at UofL? One who has no prior AD experience? This conference grades out as like a C- at best for AD hires right now.

The three ACC ADs who I think are best (Radakovich, Currie, Stansbury) are all ACC and SEC in their experience. Everybody in the above paragraph has the majority or all of their experience in the midwest. WTF ACC?

 

[ThePanthers]

Sounds like some dude that has no basis on anything.

 

[Saboteur II]

At first glance, this seems like a good hire. Was apparently the candidate that the majority of B1G ADs preferred to be their next commissioner.

View embedded media

Article focuses on the ACC’s contract dilemma with ESPN and speculates on expansion.

I did not read one word about expansion but I would push for UCF and Cincinnati. UCF is a huge school with a high ceiling. UC is another growing metro area tucked into Big Ten and SEC country.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Heather Lyke at Pittsburgh ... because "The Factory" at EMU is apparently a promotional bell ringer for Pittsburgh (WTF Pitt??? That's maybe the worst hire for AD in the conference right now.)

I don't know where this came from, but if anyone thought the person had any credibility at all, when they read that statement it should have all gone out the window.

If someone this dumb thinks it's a bad hire that's probably a good sign.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

I did not read one word about expansion but I would push for UCF and Cincinnati. UCF is a huge school with a high ceiling. UC is another growing metro area tucked into Big Ten and SEC country.

No and no.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Sure you did.







ESPN won't give an extra penny for adding West Virginia or any similar team. If they add Notre Dame and someone else, all the extra money that the ACC might happen to get would be because of Notre Dame, not because of the other school.

The only schools that would move the needle enough to make a significant difference in the television contract and that aren't just someone being silly (so Alabama is not on the list) are Notre Dame, Texas and probably the nitters. And I can't imagine any scenario where the nitters would make the move.

It would be ND and UConn (if Maryland turns it down). I know UConn football is on life support but they'd be an ACC also-ran before long and their basketball team could be very good again pretty quickly. ND football takes care of football but the basketball league needs a lot of help. Plus there's no other obvious choice:

- WVU - bad academics, no TVs
- UCF/UCF - FSU/Miami wont allow
- Cincy - maybe but I'd rather cement the NE than adding the OSU JV team.
- Houston - I could get on board with that
- Temple - if they can get a stadium then they have a shot

 

[Burgh15]

I've read nothing but good things about Phillips and it seems like some Big 10 fans would've preferred him over their current commissioner.

 

[dave97]

I dont get this take.

Fixed..ah here we go..

Happy they didn't hire the ESPN executive, who I expect would have been hunky dory with the current ESPN contract.

Not happy they went to the Big 10 and Midwest to hire. I'm profoundly unimpressed with every midwestern/Big10 asset that has shuffled through the ACC recently. Mike Bobinski was a world class f*** up at GT. Kevin White at Duke wouldn't know how to run a football program if given Alabama's resources. Heather Lyke at Pittsburgh ... because "The Factory" at EMU is apparently a promotional bell ringer for Pittsburgh (WTF Pitt??? That's maybe the worst hire for AD in the conference right now.) Debbie Yow is recycled Maryland goods that has failed to achieve anything in her rather lengthy career now. Bubba Cunningham wasn't some miracle worker at Ball State or Tulsa. Or UNC. Whit Babcock is the Lane Kiffin of ADs .... only spends 3-4 years at a place, doesn't do much, somehow gets promoted onwards anyway. Vince Tyra at Louisville ... jeez. We knew it wouldn't be as good of a hire as Jurich but hiring a Kentucky baseball player to be AD at UofL? One who has no prior AD experience? This conference grades out as like a C- at best for AD hires right now.

The three ACC ADs who I think are best (Radakovich, Currie, Stansbury) are all ACC and SEC in their experience. Everybody in the above paragraph has the majority or all of their experience in the midwest. WTF ACC?

Heather is the worst hire in the ACC? Didn't she hire our Wrestling coach and soccer coach who are both excelling? Didn't she bring in Capel whom everyone outside the program thinks is a slam dunk? What am I missing?

Hail to PITT!

Dave

 

[CrazyPaco]

Heather is the worst hire in the ACC? Didn't she hire our Wrestling coach and soccer coach who are both excelling? Didn't she bring in Capel whom everyone outside the program thinks is a slam dunk? What am I missing?

Hail to PITT!

Dave

She hired the wrestling coach and women's soccer coach. The latter was a national splash hire, and while major improvement in the program has been seen, Waldrum has yet to bust into the NCAAs with Pitt.

Pitt's two most proven coaches, Dan Fisher and Jay Vidovich, were hired by Pederson and Barnes, respectively.

Heather's most high profile move was firing Stallings with most of his contract remaining and hiring Capel. She also has had some questionable moves, like pushing out Holly Aprile and she whiffed on some hires. IMO, the jury is still out on Heather, which is a lot more than can be said about Scott Barnes at this point in his tenure, but her legacy will also depend somewhat on the success of Victory Heights and how she manages the football program.

 

[WVUinColumbus]

I did not read one word about expansion but I would push for UCF and Cincinnati. UCF is a huge school with a high ceiling. UC is another growing metro area tucked into Big Ten and SEC country.

Completely agree with you. Both in larger metro regions as opposed to state land grant institutions (I know UCF is enormous but more urban/metro with many commuter students). Both “feel” ACC and would bring extra $$ to the ACC given its frustrating ESPN deal. It would benefit each of the ACC schools by significantly increasing the $$ per school. Not entirely because of the 2 schools but because the 2 schools are attractive enough to allow a complete revisiting of the contract at large.

 

[dave97]

She hired the wrestling coach and women's soccer coach. The latter was a national splash hire, and while major improvement in the program has been seen, Waldrum has yet to bust into the NCAAs with Pitt.

Pitt's two most proven coaches, Dan Fisher and Jay Vidovich, were hired by Pederson and Barnes, respectively.

Heather's most high profile move was firing Stallings with most of his contract remaining and hiring Capel.

Thanks for clarifying on Vidovich. Firing Stallings was a no brainer despite the cost. The Pete would have been empty and perhaps it would have been more expensive to keep him. Capel was a splash hire and Wrestling is a sleeping giant that is waking up.

Hail to Pitt!

Dave

 

[CrazyPaco]

Thanks for clarifying on Vidovich. Firing Stallings was a no brainer despite the cost. The Pete would have been empty and perhaps it would have been more expensive to keep him. Capel was a splash hire and Wrestling is a sleeping giant that is waking up.

Hail to Pitt!

Dave

I'm not sure Capel was a "splash" hire. I think he was a very good hire, and I won't criticize her for making that hire even if it doesn't work out because you can't predict even how the hottest coaching candidates will pan out. She did whiff on Dan Hurley first though.

I like the direction of wrestling, but she fell into that hire after being turned down by some other, more experienced coaches. Might have worked out for the best, so we'll see. It was her first couple weeks on the job though so I tend to give her a pass on that coaching search.

Generally I like what Heather has been doing but there have been a couple head scratching moments as well.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Wilbon was gushing over him on PTI today.

 

[ThePanthers]

Heather is the worst hire in the ACC? Didn't she hire our Wrestling coach and soccer coach who are both excelling? Didn't she bring in Capel whom everyone outside the program thinks is a slam dunk? What am I missing?

Hail to PITT!

Dave

You're missing that it was probably some idiot from an fsu message board or something that wrote that.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Maybe Navy. Helps fill Md donut hole and gives Irish everything they want except Mich and USC LOL.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Would rotating divisions ( or dropping if ever allowed) or going to 9 games improve the inventory to be seismic enough to open contract?