MTSU Prez Speaks on Realignment

Harry · February 28, 2012

MURFREESBORO — MTSU president Sidney McPhee said he has “not had any direct or indirect contact with Conference USA about a possible move.”

“We are very comfortable with the Sun Belt, especially bringing in Karl Benson. If he didn’t see a value in the Sun Belt, he wouldn’t have moved (from the WAC),” McPhee said. “(At MTSU) all our options are open. We want to move this university forward, and we are always looking at ways to enhance our institution and our conference, including Sun Belt expansion.”

Benson said he would explore trying to expand the Sun Belt’s membership by adding any southeastern FBS schools and possibly select FCS schools. Such suitors would include WAC member Louisiana Tech, CUSA schools like Southern Miss, UAB and East Carolina, new WAC members Texas-San Antonio and Texas State and others.

“We know we don’t have to sit back and let everything else happen,” McPhee said. “We control our own destiny.”

Read more: http://www.tennessean.com/article/D4/20120228/BLUERAIDERS01/302280012/McPhee-No-contact-from-CUSA?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CSports%7Cp

UNTexas · February 28, 2012

No one is leaving CUSA for the Sunbelt. Rubbish!

El Paso Eagle · February 28, 2012

No one is leaving CUSA for the Sunbelt. Rubbish!

On the surface I agree 100% - However, could some schools be uncomfortable being part of a (up to) 24 team conference?? There is a say, something about big fish in a small pond versus just another fish in a big pond. For a long time Boise embraced who/where they were and just focused on being the absolute best they could be. Look where it got them.