SEC not worried about defections

HOOVER, Ala. (AP) -- Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive isn't concerned that one of his schools will bolt for another league in the wake of the ACC's recent expansion.

Following the defections of Miami and Virginia Tech from the Big East to the ACC there has been talk that more reshuffling could follow.

The Big East will need to add at least two schools to remain a conference, and the ACC has expressed interest in adding a 12th team with speculation that SEC schools Florida, Kentucky or South Carolina could be targets.

"The stability of the league is not an issue for us. It isn't going to happen," Slive said Tuesday at the start of SEC media days.

"Stability over the years has allowed the relationship to develop between fans and institutions. The result is loyalty and pride and these are the ties that bind."

The conference might look into adding an exit fee requirement similar to other conferences. But Slive said the biggest deterrent is the SEC's financial strength, the proximity of the schools and the traditional rivalries.

The SEC will distribute at least $102 million from the 2002-03 year -- more than any other conference.

Slive said the conference has no plans to add teams, either, but didn't rule out the possibility.

"We need to monitor the landscape," he said. "You never say never."

Slive addressed many issues in his state of the SEC address, including minority hiring, academic reform, the conference's opposition to an NFL-style playoff and reiterating his goal to have no conference school on probation within five years.

"I'm confident we can do it," Slive said. "It won't be easy. It's important to the league. It's something we have to get rid of."

Slive also set out a goal to increase minority hiring in the conference.

While he said gains have been made in athletic offices, among assistant coaches and in sports other than football, the SEC remains the only major conference never to have a black head football coach.

"I think that will always be an issue," Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said. "I think you're seeing the same thing in the NFL. There are qualified candidates out there and I'm sure it's just a matter of time. It will happen."

The conference has put together a data base of Division I-A and NFL coaches to give schools a reference tool when they are looking for coaches.

"I can't emphasize enough the importance of this issue," Slive said. "We will have a minority head coach in this conference, probably in my tenure."

Slive also addressed concerns from leaders of the smaller conferences about access to the lucrative BCS bowls. Notre Dame is the only team not from the six major conferences to play in a BCS bowl in the first five years of the system.

A group from the smaller conferences, which has threatened the possibility of an antitrust suit, will meet with BCS representatives on Sept. 8 in Chicago.

"The BCS has had very sound legal advice for a long time," Slive said. "I don't see any antitrust issues."

The format of the BCS could be changing. Negotiations for a new deal will begin next year and athletic directors and conference commissioners are coming up with new formats.

While the school presidents have ruled out a playoff, Slive said there is a chance that a championship game could be added after the bowls.

One of the major issues coming up for the BCS is access for smaller conferences and whether the Big East will maintain its automatic bid.

Big East coaches said college football would lose credibility without a Northeast representation.

"I don't know if the region of the country is as important as the strength of the programs," said Mark Womack, the executive associate commissioner of the SEC. "The public and the television networks will determine the support."

 

Related information

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video