Big 12 realignment: Texas legislators hammer UT Pres. in Senate hearing

For most of us, nothing is less entertaining than watching legislative hearings.  But on Monday, it was can’t-miss television as members of the Texas State Senate met with officials and administrators from Big 12 schools to discuss the impact of Texas’ departure for the SEC.  And for once, some Texas senators actually spoke for the people they represent when they verbally blasted University of Texas president Jay Hartzell and his university’s football program.

Senator Lois Kolkhorst was one of the most animated players in this drama when she took to the microphone.  A Republican who represents District 18 in South Texas and a graduate of TCU, Kolkhorst had one of the lines of the day when pointing out Texas’ record against TCU in the Big 12.

"After asking Hartzell what his school’s athletic budget (to which he replied was around $225 million), Kolkhorst quipped, “And that’s without a winning football team…3-7 against the Horned Frogs.  Maybe your fanbase would rather lose to Alabama than TCU.”"

That was one of the most astute points made in the session that lasted over six hours in duration.  Texas has consistently accomplished less on the field than any program should given their resources.  Thus, it is fair to question whether an influx of SEC cash is going to improve the Horns’ results on the gridiron or whether it is going to be more of a bounty paid to the UT for getting annually pummeled by the likes of Bama, LSU, Georgia, Florida, and other SEC members.

In fact, despite playing in what they obviously feel is an inferior conference, UT has won more than five conference games just once in the last seven seasons.  That’s why many believe that the Horns are destined for mediocrity at best in the most rugged conference in the country.

Another lawmaker who got his pound of UT flesh on Monday was Charles Perry.  A Texas Tech alum and native of Lubbock who represents District 28 which encompasses Lubbock and San Angelo, Perry pulled no punches when questioning Hartzell.

Perry even went so far as to compare the University of Texas to one of the most dubious movie characters of all time.

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"“If you’re as big and great as you think you are,” Perry said, “you should have made the Big 12 equal or better than the SEC and you didn’t do it. I kind of feel sorry for the SEC. Cousin Eddie’s coming home and he don’t leave ’til he’s wrecked the whole house.”"

Comparing UT to the bumbling Cousin Eddie from the National Lampoon’s Vacation movie franchise drew Perry plenty of attention on social media.  But his point must not be lost amidst his grandstanding.

Texas has now had a hand in destroying two conferences in the last three decades, the Southwest Conference and the Big 12.  And in both conferences, it was the Longhorns who had the loudest voice and the most sway and in each instance, their greed and desire for more money than the rest of their conference bunkmates was the driving factor in the demolition of both leagues.

Now, one has to wonder how they will function in a conference that most believe will not kowtow to their every whim.  Or, will Texas try to run the show in the SEC just as they have in the Big 12?  If they do, the fireworks will be fun to watch.

As for Perry’s assertion, there is some truth to the belief that UT bore some responsibility for keeping the Big 12 near the top of the college football pecking order.  They have the greatest budget in the NCAA and receive more taxpayer money than any university in the nation through the Permanent University Fund which is funded by West Texas oil (a fund that goes only to Texas and Texas A&M).

It is true that to whom much is given, much is required.  Thus, Texas absolutely bore more of the burden of elevating the status of the Big 12 than the other institutions in the league.

Ultimately, the strength of any conference is dependant on that league’s marquee schools.  That’s why ACC basketball is viewed as lesser in years like 2020-21 when Duke and North Carolina struggle and why the PAC 12 has taken some hits when it comes to its football prowess thanks to the mediocrity of USC.  In the world of college sports, perception is a huge piece of the puzzle and for a league to stand out in the minds of those around the nation, the name brand programs have to carry their weight.  Of course, Texas hasn’t done that since the days of Colt McCoy over a decade ago.

In the end, this senate hearing will not stop the Horns from leaving the Big 12 nor will it do much to help the other Texas schools find a healthy landing spot.  But it sure was fun to watch Hartzell squirm while he heard some painful truths from people of influence.  And for one day, it was refreshing to see politicians take off their kid gloves and actually take this state’s sacred cow to task for its incompetence and blind greed.