How Texas must adjust to lack of control over conference decisions in SEC

Texas is accustomed to being the top dog in its conference and having a lot of say when decisions are made.

As On3’s Andy Staples recently pointed out during an interview with Joe Cook of Inside Texas, that won’t be the case now that the Longhorns have gone from the Big 12 to the SEC.

“Texas is kind of used to having the big stick in the Big 12 – not necessarily on the field but from an administrative standpoint. It doesn’t feel like that’s the way things are going to work in the SEC,” Staples said. “Because you can’t really boss around Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, LSU. They’re kind of in the same boat, it feels like.”

Cook agrees with Staples as far as things being different in the SEC. But he insists Texas is just fine with that. According to Cook, the Longhorns are well aware that they are no longer the leading voice in conference discussions.

“In my brief experience covering him, it doesn’t feel like you can really boss around Greg Sankey, either,” Cook said. “But I also have the sense that Texas understands that. I mean even a couple of years ago when I was talking to UT President Jay Hartzell about him going and observing last year’s SEC spring meetings, it was observing, watching, listening, learning, seeing how things kind of go. They understand that they are newcomers to this league.”

Texas will still have some say when decisions are made in the SEC. But the Longhorns’ vote will count for one now instead of holding more weight the way it did in the Big 12.

“Now they’re going to have their preferences, just like any school is going to have preferences. But I think there is an understanding, whether it be at the administration level or the high-end of the athletic department with Chris Del Conte, that they aren’t that vote in there that carries a massive weight,” Cook said. “They are 1 of 16 votes. So is Oklahoma. So is any other team in that league.

“I think they understand the standing that they’re in, and I think that’s something they’re perfectly OK with. They feel like they are secure. They feel like they have placed themselves in a conference and among other schools that have their best interest in mind at a current time and are going to do everything they can to establish their own security.”

Texas is perfectly happy to trade some of its power to be in a league like the SEC. The Longhorns are set to enjoy plenty of benefits moving forward, whether it be financially or the fact that they are in a league with so many really good programs.

“Texas wanted to be in that,” Cook said. “I don’t think they want to rock that boat. They just want to be able to reap the same benefits as all the other teams going forward in a 16-team league.”