Author’s note: Having closely followed the University of Louisville athletics for many years, I have been fortunate to have made the acquaintance of some influential supporters of the athletic program, learning the difference between reliable insiders and interested supporters. The following is consistent with what I have been told by several trusted individuals:
By John Motsinger
This past summer when Texas and Oklahoma were flirting with the PAC 10, the Big 12 approached Louisville about joining their conference. Considering the instability they were having at that time, Tom Jurich told them Louisville was happy in the Big East, and we were since every member appeared to be committed to the Big East at that time.
Fast forward a couple months later and, out of the blue, Pittsburgh and Syracuse announce they are leaving the Big East. This, of course, catches everyone off guard. Well in mid-September the Big 12 once again approaches Louisville about joining their conference. At that time Texas A&M had just left and it was rumored that Missouri was leaving too.
Jurich told them that Louisville was very interested but we did not want to go from one struggling conference to another. Louisville wanted to make sure that any conference move they made would be to one that has long term stability. With that, Jurich decides to wait it out, sitting on the offer from the Big 12 and letting the dust settle, mainly to wait and see what Missouri is going to do.
At that time, eight of the nine remaining members of the Big 12 were committed to moving forward and had all agreed to the new six-year deal in principle (except for Missouri who was not yet on board with it). Then over a month passes and nothing has changed so the Big 12 grabs TCU rather easily since they had already got through the red tape to leave their conference. Missouri had yet to make a decision and Louisville had yet to act on their bid. Now this is when it appears that the Big 12 got tired of waiting on Missouri and UofL and just offered WVU which immediately accepted the offer.
Of course we saw some last minute damage control by TJ to try and get back in ahead of WVU, but they were ready to finalize things and it appears Jurich had wasted their time by focusing on all-sports. He was wanting to take care of his coaches and other programs too. I think the Big 12 just told us we were not in a position to negotiate and the offer stands as is. We’ve seen how one team can control a conference in the Big East with Notre Dame, and we saw it again here.
Jurich probably just wanted a level playing field but they moved on. Call it what you want and believe what you want, but that is honestly how I believe it all played out. To substantiate my story I will quote The Dominion Post (the Morgantown WV daily newspaper) article from earlier this week which said, “Louisville is the problem, not Missouri.” The link is here. Had Jurich acted on the Big 12 offer a month ago then we would be sitting pretty right now. They simply couldn’t agree on the terms at that time.
I am not trying to bash Tom Jurich as a leader either because I truly believe he was looking out for the best interests of U of L. Jurich has done some amazing things with Louisville athletics but he has made two huge mistakes in his career here; hiring Kragthorpe and not acting on the Big 12 invitation as soon as it was offered.
Louisville football just took another huge step backward today folks. Supposedly in the spring the Big 12 will once again consider moving to 12 teams. By then maybe BYU will have made up their mind and hopefully Louisville will be humbled enough to accept their offer immediately.
The bottom line here is that as soon as Texas and Oklahoma reaffirmed their commitment to the Big 12, Jurich should have jumped all over our chance to join them but he didn’t and we are stuck in the BE for now. Maybe he thought that with all the amenities Louisville had to offer, they wouldn’t mind waiting for us to decide.
After all, we have the best basketball arena in the nation, one of the nicest football facilities, a 74 million dollar athletic dept budget and we would bring them an entirely new TV market. In the end it did not matter. They called our bluff and we lost.
Personally, I feel Louisville belongs in the ACC… competitive in basketball, middle of the pack in football… balances the SEC in Kentucky, and would fit in nicely with a northern division of U Conn, Boston College, Syracuse, Pittsburg, Maryland, VT, and Virginia.
The ACC needs to take UConn and Louisville and get to 16 teams…
Just my .02
~Jim
I live in Big 12 country and trust me when I say this: Big 12 fans are rejoicing the addition of West Virginia University to the conference.
I was at the Texas/Kansas game this past Saturday and I heard quite a few Texas fans talked about West Virginia in a positive way. Everyone seemed pleased and we are all looking forward to July 1, 2012 when WVU officially becomes a member. Btw, congrats to WVU in their win over Rutgers!
As for U of L, I agree with my Baylor counterpart (TxHillCountry) who commented earlier on this post. We hope that U of L will be invited to join as well (don’t know when that will happen though). I truly believe U of L has a lot to offer, certainly great basketball! I have to admit though U of L’s initial lack of interest in the Big 12 was somewhat disappointing. Twice, U of L showed no interest in the Big 12. Great to see that things have changed. Cards, I am with you all the way for joining the Big 12!
Good football on the way Reynaldo. Just keep checking the line scores.
The chronology seemed pretty straight forward to me, with the writer giving credit where credit was due. We kept playing our cards too close to the vest it seems. We lost the game and it hurts. Blaming the messenger won’t change the facts.
I’m disappointed in Mot’s article, what it concludes and the fact Charlie is supporting what it suggest.
The sequence of events give Tom Jurich support in the way he handled it.
The results were very disappointing, but I cannot see any reason Tom would not have acted as he did in order of the events as they happened.
Thanks for checking in, 4evercard. Pretty evident that we got outmaneuvered by West Virginia after what appeared to be opportunities to go the Big 12. As John mentions in his post, Tom was concerned about the future of the Big 12 and had the best interests of the University of Louisville in mind throughout the process. I have been a staunch advocate of Tom, what he has done and what he has made possible. The final decision on the conference indicates that we may have a bit too cautious.
You may be right 4evercard but the time to get serious was two weeks ago, not last Monday. Tom never did say anything out loud publicly about wanting to get into the Big 12, as compared to West Virginia which went after the invitation very aggressively. This quiet gentlemanly approach is not effective when dealing with the jock mentality that dominates the world of college football. Kind of like Kragthorpe being a nice guy and everything but losing the football wars.
I’m back!!! Just for you Charlie, if you were indeed the first choice no wonder you’re so bitter. You C-USA middle of the pack inbreds were passed over by, as your friend Keith says, hillbillies. Now that’s rich. A couple of goat lovers from Kentucky calling anybody a hillbilly. Also, a post earlier stated you guys had 48,000 at a game. WOW!!! We’ll be waiting for you this week.
Jerry, that would be 40,000 fans who traveled to the Orange Bowl in Miami. Hello, Anybody home?
Interesting (and entertaining) comments on here. I’m not thinking too much about why WVU is going to the Big 12 and Louisville isn’t. I’m much more concerned about what’s ahead and trying to move forward – either in the Big East or elsewhere. I only hope the CARDS come out of all this in a good way – for both the school, team and fans.
WVU fan here I did not come to gloat or kick anyone when theyre down just came to say I sincerely hope UofL joins us in the B12 soon I really like you guys and have enjoyed the games these last few years hospitality in the ville was always great when I was there The only I will say is I dont think we were 2nd choice we were the 1st pick twice but UofL was close enough to give them pause and that is saying something there is a poll on espn SN about which is a better move WVU to B12 or Mizz to SEC WVU to B12 is 83% favorite even in Mizz and KY anyway good luck to you guys and I will see you in B12 soon I am sure
Come on, Charlie…..this sounds like revisionist history to make Louisville fans feel better about getting aced out…..
what proof do you have…..it’s all based on anectdotal evidence and most of the anecdotes seem to be conjured up in your imagination…..i have been watching louisville sports since butch bears and wes unseld and then through a decade in cincinnati in the metro conference…..
louisville and its self-importance was reviled in the metro and it seems to be fully intact today…..your arrogance is such that you have to create a myth that louisville got the original offer and balked until wvu got it…..next we will hear about a bigfoot sighting on the u of l campus…..
sorry charlie…..the big 12 domos (not to be confused with john dromo) had ample opportunity to set things right if what you say is the truth and so did louisville…..seems from hear like your premise is mythical for the sake of your own peace of mind
Yes- unfortunately you are correct. However, UofL will get into a stupid, backwater conference at some point. Then, the CARDS will have to work their way back in football. Thanks krag, and TJ for that matter. GO CARDS!
Might want to check the byline Johndubb. The author is credited twice. No reason for him to make anything up.
WVU opened their legs to every conference out there and finally found a suitor. Congrats to them. Jurich’s “handling” of the situation ultimately cost the program dearly but things could change DRASTICALLY in the next few years.
My comment is for the UK fans and/or WV fans on here pathetically gloating.
For the majority of UK & WV fans – who act like adults and don’t go around kicking people when they’re down – I wish them well.
Cmon, notre dame? No way in the world they go big 12. Not even for non fb sports. Also, why would the big 12 want them for those sports when they know they are NEVER EVER getting them for fb
What do You get when You have 16 Kentucky Fans and 16 West Virgina Fans together ? a Full Set of Teeth !
Keith, you know what? you need therapy my man. That is the oldest joke in the book. I have one since it is close to Halloween: What do people in WV do on Halloween? Pump-Kin….Ha Ha Ha. See, I have heard all, or at least most of the jokes about WV. I have a sense of humour. This is not going to change the fact, that WVU was initially picked over Louisville for the 10th spot, in the Big 12. If the Big 12 does expand to 11 or 12, your A.D. Jurich this time, better not screw it up. Stay cool Keith.
Dick, the only people happy about this are the West Virginia fans. I doubt you find too much celebrating in the Big 12. The hangover is going to be awful for the conference administration.
Again, this is an odd comment. If this is true show comments from Big 12 folks who are unhappy about this action. You act is if someone was holding a gun to the heads of the Big 12 officials who HAPPYILY made this decision. Read any of the quotes coming from those folks today. They’re excited to have WVU coming to the conference. Look at the offical Big 12 page:
http://www.big12sports.com/
On the front page they have a giant flying WV and a big welcome. They’re getting a quality university with very successful football and Bball programs (both men’s and women’s by the way). I understand you’re bitter, but please let go of this notion that the Big 12’s decision was somehow made for them and they had no choice but to pick WVU. Your university was a candidate and they passed you over. End of story. WVU is a member of the Big 12 and for now U of L remains in the Big East. Best of luck to you.
Oklahoma State president and Big 12 Board of Directors chairman Burns Hargis: “We are just simply thrilled to welcome West Virginia into the Big 12 Conference. West Virginia is the flagship university in that state, it has wonderful academic and athletic heritage, they compete fairly on the field and do things right. They have all the qualities and the culture that we look for.”
The voice of the Oklahoma Sooners, Toby Rowand, likes the move.
“I think it is going to be well received,” Rowand said. “Of all the schools that have been talked about, West Virginia has been the most highly regarded.”
“I certainly like the move,” Rowand said. “I think if the Big XII indeed loses Missouri, I think West Virginia is more than a capable replacement. I think West Virginia is better in football and better in basketball and has a much better fan base.”
Yeah, they’re tickled pink. I’m happy for you too, Fred. (behind your back: “Did we really just add West Virginia?”
Who knows, you could be right. I don’t claim to know their hearts or true thoughts. They say what they say, and you say what you claim they’re really thinking. All I know is they’re one of the few legit games left in town, along with a few other conferences, and they had their pick of stragglers and schools jumping from sinking ships. And they ended up picking WVU. The reasons at this point don’t matter much.
But I really do wish Louisville all the best. We do have a game coming up. Maybe both teams can work off a bit of the frustration on the field. The game has a new storyline that should make it fun to watch.
First off, I’m a Baylor alum and have no bias toward Louisville or WVU. From observing on this end, it appeared Louisville was going get the invite. Then something changed, and WVU became the top choice. No clue what it was. The general concensus was both WVU and Louisville would be invited as late as yesterday. Then this morning, only WVU was invited. I think a couple of things are at work. One, is $$$ of course. Under the current contract, each school will receive $18M next year as a 10 team league. 11 teams would be $16.5M. Then there is the legal liability from the Big East. Had both schools been invited, that would have put the BE in violation of the 5 teams for 5 years rule for the AQ bid. Then there is Notre Dame, who says they will make a decision in January as far as what to do with their sports. I personally think that the Big XII is waiting for UConn and Rutgers to be added by the ACC or B1G, thereby virtually ending Big East football. Then Notre Dame and Louisville will be added in the Big XII. The contract for tier 1 rights is up in 2015, as is NBC’s contract with ND, and of course the BCS will change then as well. Most fully expect the Big XII to expand again, and Louisville will be invited. In the meantime, we’re thrilled WVU is coming aboard, and eagerly await Louisville’s inclusion.
Thanks for your input, TxHill. What you say makes sense but you’re suggesting that a long drawn out process will be extended over two or three years. Hopefully the Big East can get its act together and U of L is in a position to steer clear of this the next time around. Doubtful, but stranger things have happened. I’m not looking forward to starting the process all over again.
This story is more than a little far-fetched. There is nothing out there to suggest this is what happened, including the Dom Post article you link to. It doesn’t mention this at all. Look, the Big 12 is a billion dollar institution, and this was a multi-million dollar decision. They wouldn’t “just” take WVU because they were “tired of waiting for U of L”. That’s not how billion dollar institutions make decisions. And even if this unlikely series of events was the case, it doesn’t exactly say much about U of L that the Big 12 wasn’t willing to wait a bit longer for them.
Things didn’t happen like this. The Big 12 officals said they talked about this for months. And the decision they made-twice this week, I’d like to remind everyone-was to choose WVU over Louisville.
Fred, you’ve witnessed the comical nature of all the conference switching over the several months and still believe these decisions are reached on a logical basis? Everything done in an orderly, businesslike and objective manner? That would be nice but the sequence of events strongly suggest otherwise.
True enough, but this article suggests that the Big 12 somehow settled on WVU as a second option. If we’re to believe what we’ve read over the past few days, Louisville all but begged to be admitted to the Big 12. This included a strong push by the Senate Minority Leader. If the Big 12 actually preferred U of L over WVU, they had every opportunity to choose them and Louisville would’ve kissed their boots. Instead, the Big 12 actually leapfrogged over Louisville, KY to go hundred of miles farther east to snap up WVU. They did so because it was their top choice.
I believe that’s consistent with what the article says about the past week. To think that people in committees don’t get fed up with foot dragging and not make decisions to get out of these endless meetings is illogical. They are not robots, they’re human beings.
They do tend to be logical when it comes to $$$$$$.
To UK & WVU fans on here being douches…..STFU & realize no matter what happens, you will still be douches. UK could go 40-0 for 20 years in a row…aAnd you’d still be a douche.
Now get lost and go f**k your sisters.
Come on Scott, have some class about this. That is not the way to handle this. W.V.U getting invited to the Big 12 is like a fine wine, you got to sip it, to enjoy it. Be positive about this. Remember, no one died.
First of all I can’t confirm that UL was ever offered by the Big 12 so for now I’ll just call this article unconfirmed. Second, until seeing such an ugly side of the classless UL fans, Kentuckians using derogatory childish words like hillbilly is the epitome of the pot calling the kettle black, I thought it was the only group of fans in that state I could support. They’re obviously just as delusional as UK fans, which in football outnumbers UL by more than three fold making them a very distant second in their own state, and WVU still has a larger football fan base than UK by an estimated 50,0000. UL had a geographic advantage (a fact) and a propaganda campaign to spread misinformation such as having better academics (not a fact), a larger market (not a fact by any measurement: TV sets, DMA markets, fans), a better fan experience (far from a fact), stronger basketball (close enough and obviously not a major factor or Memphis would be in before UL). Once people get by the misinformation and start looking at the facts WVU was the clear choice in every way other than geography and was still strong enough to overcome that objection, that should send a message to the delusional Cardinal nation.
I was wondering how long it would take a UK fan to chime in. Go away. You have no cred here.
Louisville led bigeast in G.P.A. in case you didn’t know that is academocs
I am glad that WVU is in the Big 12 now, but I hope this is just the beginning of a Big 12 East division. Lets get 8 to 10 teams this side of the country and have a Big 12 championship game. No trash talk I want the Ville in the Big 12.
Nonetheless, Jurich has four major screw ups.
1. Hiring Steve Kragthorpe and failing to terminate him soon enough. He was a worst hire than Ron cooper and T.W. Alley!
2.Telling the Big 12 no, the first time.
3. Setting on the invitation!
4. Giving an unproven coach a seven year contract. This is a trend because he gave Steve Kragthorpe a contractextension, also, costing us millions to fire him!
Now you can not say yet losing our AQ status was mistake #5, because that is to be termined in 2013.
However, he set Louisville footballback 5 years and we still have at least at a minimum four more years to get good again.
So all his success has been in none revenue producing sports, after all we made money in basketball before he arrived. PJCS would have been built even if Jurich had never came to Louisville. But we do not need to have a Civil War in our school. But we have to be prepare for a drop football season ticket sales, donation and general attendance figures in football. I think the fan base will shrink unless we start reducing the Wed. Thur. and Fri. football games.
In summary, I think Jurich as run out of free passes, i truely believe his future at Louisville will hinge on how he handles the clean up of the football mess that totally belongs to Tom Jurich, he created it.
Agree with you about the Wednesday and Thursday games, Wilkie, but the Friday night games are very popular.
I think you have to weigh what he has accomplished against the goals he has set for the school. And he comes out a winner in that comparison.
We drew 48,000 at the last football game so I’m not sweating anything yet.
If Kragthorpe didn’t get a third year, no way in hell Charlie Strong gives us a look, even with his desire to be a head coach. Hell, even Bill Callahan and Rich Rodriguez got third years. It’s just the way it’s done in real college football.
We made money in basketball, but now we make more money. PJCS was already under construction before Bill Olsen retired anyway.
When the Big East keeps its AQ status, none of this will matter anyway because that’s ultimately what it’s all about.
Besides, the same fans that complain about watching SMU and UCF would be the same ones bitching about watching Baylor, Kansas and Iowa State.
As it is, Tom Jurich is who we want and need on that wall right now.
Your opinion is swayed by you, being a capitive newspaper of the University of Louisville. Your a good guy Jason, but you need to take off your red sunglasses.
Problem is, I haven’t worked for or contributed to LSR or CSdC in over four years.
And it’s not red sunglasses, just the reality of the situation. Keep the AQ = don’t need Big XII.
As far as Tom, he’s allowed a mistake. After all, Jeremy Foley, generally regarded as the top AD in the country, hired Ron Zook and Boom Muschamp for God’s sake.
Laughing out loud at you all bitter Louisville fans. WVU was the heart of the Big East.
I’d rather have a couple down seasons in the Big12 until Holgerson can get some recruits(and it will happen) rather than stay in Big East that will shortly be losing it’s AQ status.
Good luck in your “super mega conference” with C-USA and MWC. Maybe if you can win the playoff, you’ll make it to a BCS game. If they let you!
Stay salty!!!
Ba bye!
I think the Big 12 will stay at 10 so they can make more money which is the root of all the realignment.
Nice spin on this truly digusting display by Louisville. Yeah, getting a Senator involved sure sounds like someone who has the edge on being invited.
You have not, cannot and will not ever compete with West Virginia. You deserve to rot in the Big East because of your back door tactics. Although, I do hope you get an invite to the Big 12 someday, so WVU can continue the domination on the field. Looking forward to seeing you sneak in Morgantown Nov. 5th!
You must have been an abused child. Remember you were not their first choice.
Never is a long time, Jerry. Congratulations on being the second choice but still getting the offer.
Every member of the Big 12 will immediately realize they made a huge mistake by inviting WVU when they each make their first road game to that god forsaken hole known as Morgantown. There is a reason no one travels to Morgantown. You inbred hillbillies are the most vulgar fan base in college football. WVU fans beat up opposing fans, throw objects (batteries, nickels, pennies, etc.), curse wives and children. There is a reason ACC slammed the door when you whores knocked. The SEC slammed it in your face just as quick. To add insult to injury, the SEC said they wouldn’t admit WVU because of their poor academics! SEC worried about academics! Wow! Interesting how WVU’s coach told the whole country in a press conference a couple weeks ago that WVU’s fan base wasn’t elite and didn’t know what big time football was. There’s a big world outside your “holler” Jerry.
And West Virginia cannot and will not ever be competitive in the Big 2 Little 10 Conference. Have fun looking up at Baylor…
What? You had two senators involved as far back as three weeks ago. Perhaps they don’t have calendars in Cabin Creek.
Wow so much ignorance! We cannot compete? Were 8-3 all time vs. West Virginia basketball, sounds like we compete quite well! I hope we end up inbig12 too so we can continue to bust y’all.
Interesting info but we need to realize that blaming & publicly bashing Jurich is the last thing we need to do. We’ll persevere and be in a stronger conference sooner than most realize.
But if fans pile on Jurich, that could set our program back exponentially further than this, which could be only a small bump in the road as long as fans don’t implode.
Finding someone to blame might make us feel better but please don’t start fans piling on our A.D. He has done so much for UofL and will do so much more, as long as we all support him.
Interesting info but we need to realize that blaming & publicly bashing Jurich is the last thing we need to do. We’ll persevere and be in a stronger conference sooner than most realize.
But if fans pile on Jurich, that could set our program back exponentially further than this, which could be only a small bump in the road as long as fans don’t implode.
Finding someone might make us feel better but please don;t start fans piling on our A.D. He has done so much for UofL and will do so much more, as long as we all support him.
Add giving an unproven coach a long and lucrative contract extension to the list of mistakes.
Didn’t realize two extra years was considered a “long extension.”
All of this has a familiar ring about it, consistent with what U of L was saying at the time. Very unfortunate.
If, and it’s a big “if,” the Big East retains it’s AQ status going forward, none of this really matters. That’s ultimately what it’s all about.
Besides, WVU just went from being a contender in the Big East and a BCS berth to the 5th-at-best team in the Big XII.
What you say about WVU is true but given the possible implosion of the BE I wouldn’t mind our being the 6th-at-best team in the Big 12.