Former Utah AD Says Moving to Big 12 Doesn’t ‘Move the Dial’
According to former Utah athletic director Chris Hill, the remaining Pac-12 schools would have little to gain from leaving their current conference for the Big 12.
In a recently published article from Jon Wilner of The Mercury News (Paid Content), Hill expanded on why he believes the Utes will stay put in the Pac-12.
“I see no benefit to somebody from the Pac-12 going to the Big 12,” said Hill, who helped transition the Utes’ into the Pac-12 in 2011.
Hill spent 30 years as Utah’s athletic director and was responsible for the hires of both Urban Meyer and Kyle Whittingham, before retiring from his post in 2018. When asked directly about the university’s preference, Hill was confident.
“They all want to stay,” Hill says. “They love the schools they’re associated with and the areas they recruit and play. Utah has a lot of alumni in the Bay Area. There aren’t alumni in Waco. Those things matter.”
While the Big 12 does maintain a better financial situation going forward, the former Utes’ AD thinks the gap isn’t wide enough to elicit a move.
“What difference does it make if you’re getting $35 million a year in the Pac-12 versus $40 million a year in the Big 12,” Hill asked. “Either way, it’s not going to move the dial for you.”
There are multiple conflicting reports surrounding the Big 12’s attempts to sway Pac-12 schools into leaving, but one thing is certain: The time for Brett Yormark to strike is now, and waiting it out doesn’t look like a viable option right now.
Things could change, but you can expect the Big 12/Pac-12 Arms’ Race to continue right into football season.
