UTSA president Dr. Ricardo Romo stated that since UTSA started football, the dream destination was Conference-USA. As I've been agitating for since my Houston Cougars announced move to the Big East, their wish came true. UTSA will start play in C-USA in 2013; the same year the Coogs start Big East play.
Perspectives offer great windows into the thought processes of realignment goals of UH and UTSA.
Houston, formerly of the defunct Southwest Conference, joined C-USA in the wake of Texas, A&M, Baylor and Texas Tech joining up with Big Eight schools to form the Big 12. At the time, UH football reached a low point following a short run that included nationally ranked teams and a Heisman Trophy winner. The wheels fell off the program and an already fickle fan base shrank more. The support sank so low that there was a movement to drop football.
A number of moves by Houston righted the ship and lead to a resurgence of Houston Cougar football. Athletic Director David Maggard fired Dana Dimel and hired Art Briles. Briles led the Cougars to new found success that included bowl games. The Cougars emerged from the depths of the only 0-11 season to a C-USA title in 2006. Kevin Sumlin then took the Cougars to national rankings and the verge of a BCS bowl game while leading UH to 12 regular season wins. The program went from the edge of the abyss to national prominence. With the combination of sustained success, increased fan support, commitment to new or improved facilities and on field success, Houston looked to leave C-USA. The original goal was the Big 12 after the departures of Nebraska and Colorado. UH also maintained contact with Mountain West Conference.
Eventually Houston, realizing its goal of leaving C-USA, moved on to the Big East conference. The motivation of course is money. TV football money. UH finally found a home. Make no mistake about it, if the Big 12 comes calling, and that's a big if, UH will trip over itself taking the invitation.
On the flip side, UTSA wanted to join C-USA. The goal was to eventually attain C-USA membership while rising up the ranks from Southland to WAC. The Roadrunners accepted a WAC invitation only to see things break favorably. C-USA lost Houston, smu and Central Florida to the Big East. Thus the window opened for UTSA. After an initial cool reception, C-USA warmed up to the 'runners. A big push by the school and community made the conference take a second look. Congrats to UTSA....the will start C-USA play after one year in WAC. The WAC goes on life support with the loss of the football programs.
Houston and its fans viewed C-USA as a holding place until the right time to move on came along after the demise of the SWC. The Cougars wanted to play the next level up and saw C-USA more of an impediment than an advantage for competition. The quality from top to bottom in C-USA was lacking respect. Outside of Houston, Central Florida, Tulsa andSouthern Miss, football languished with anchors like Memphis, UAB, rice and Tulane. Marshall, UTEP and East Carolina cycled through teams but not on a consistent basis. Houston felt bigger and better things existed outside of C-USA.
UTSA though, felt that C-USA was an appropriate destination for the fledgling program years down the road. Things changed quickly and the administration took advantage of the dynamic situation and positioned the 'runners further along ahead of schedule.
Houston's moving on up the Big East side and UTSA gladly took up residence next to Archie Bunker.
I wish nothing but luck to both programs as a San Antonio native but Houston alumnus.
Perspectives offer great windows into the thought processes of realignment goals of UH and UTSA.
Houston, formerly of the defunct Southwest Conference, joined C-USA in the wake of Texas, A&M, Baylor and Texas Tech joining up with Big Eight schools to form the Big 12. At the time, UH football reached a low point following a short run that included nationally ranked teams and a Heisman Trophy winner. The wheels fell off the program and an already fickle fan base shrank more. The support sank so low that there was a movement to drop football.
A number of moves by Houston righted the ship and lead to a resurgence of Houston Cougar football. Athletic Director David Maggard fired Dana Dimel and hired Art Briles. Briles led the Cougars to new found success that included bowl games. The Cougars emerged from the depths of the only 0-11 season to a C-USA title in 2006. Kevin Sumlin then took the Cougars to national rankings and the verge of a BCS bowl game while leading UH to 12 regular season wins. The program went from the edge of the abyss to national prominence. With the combination of sustained success, increased fan support, commitment to new or improved facilities and on field success, Houston looked to leave C-USA. The original goal was the Big 12 after the departures of Nebraska and Colorado. UH also maintained contact with Mountain West Conference.
Eventually Houston, realizing its goal of leaving C-USA, moved on to the Big East conference. The motivation of course is money. TV football money. UH finally found a home. Make no mistake about it, if the Big 12 comes calling, and that's a big if, UH will trip over itself taking the invitation.
On the flip side, UTSA wanted to join C-USA. The goal was to eventually attain C-USA membership while rising up the ranks from Southland to WAC. The Roadrunners accepted a WAC invitation only to see things break favorably. C-USA lost Houston, smu and Central Florida to the Big East. Thus the window opened for UTSA. After an initial cool reception, C-USA warmed up to the 'runners. A big push by the school and community made the conference take a second look. Congrats to UTSA....the will start C-USA play after one year in WAC. The WAC goes on life support with the loss of the football programs.
Houston and its fans viewed C-USA as a holding place until the right time to move on came along after the demise of the SWC. The Cougars wanted to play the next level up and saw C-USA more of an impediment than an advantage for competition. The quality from top to bottom in C-USA was lacking respect. Outside of Houston, Central Florida, Tulsa andSouthern Miss, football languished with anchors like Memphis, UAB, rice and Tulane. Marshall, UTEP and East Carolina cycled through teams but not on a consistent basis. Houston felt bigger and better things existed outside of C-USA.
UTSA though, felt that C-USA was an appropriate destination for the fledgling program years down the road. Things changed quickly and the administration took advantage of the dynamic situation and positioned the 'runners further along ahead of schedule.
Houston's moving on up the Big East side and UTSA gladly took up residence next to Archie Bunker.
I wish nothing but luck to both programs as a San Antonio native but Houston alumnus.
