The Houston Cougars are getting support from big — and many would say unexpected — names less than 24 hours after Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby announced the conference would be reaching out to potential candidates for expansion.
The first salvo came from Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Twitter:
Big 12 expansion is a non-starter unless it includes University of Houston. @UHouston https://t.co/AnHB4dIGnc
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 21, 2016
Then late Thursday afternoon, two big tweets of support for Houston.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick:
I join with @GregAbbott_TX – any BIG 12 expansion must include @UHouston or NO DEAL!
— Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) July 21, 2016
Then University of Texas President Greg Fenves stepped up to the mic and set the expansion world on its ear.
As we look at opportunities for Big 12 expansion, I support considering @UHouston for the conference. UH is a huge asset for Texas.
— Greg Fenves (@gregfenves) July 21, 2016
The reports and rumors over the past year was Texas wanted no part of Houston in the Big 12 because of saturation of the state, battles for recruits, etc. Now, for whatever reason, Bevo is coming out in full support of the Cougars.
This doesn’t make anything a done deal for Houston — remember adding any school to the conference needs the support from eight of the 10 current Big 12 members. That being said, Texas was said to be the ring leader of the anti-Houston movement, with TCU and Texas Tech following in its shadow.
Something to keep in mind: There are six Big 12 schools outside the state of Texas, and when the Big 12 lost Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas A&M, one of the big complaints was how UT pushed people around to get its way. So while many see this as a huge endorsement for Houston, Cougars fans might want to be careful what they wish for.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
