Following the news of Kevin Warren leaving the B1G to become the Chicago Bears’ CEO, three candidates with B1G connections could be in line to fill the B1G commissioner vacancy.

The Omaha World-Herald threw around some names for the opening. Warren will start his new position with the Bears in the spring and the B1G will need to find a replacement.

ACC commissioner and former Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, and Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts have been mentioned as potential candidates to succeed Warren.

The replacement will likely need to have some connections to the conference. Phillips, who currently oversees the ACC, would have strong connections to the B1G. Before he became the ACC commissioner in 2021, Phillips was Northwestern’s athletic director from 2008 to 2021. With his experience working in the Chicago area, Phillips would be familiar with the B1G’s primary location in Chicago.

For Smith, he has been one of the most impactful athletic directors in the B1G. Smith has been Ohio State’s athletic director since 2005. He would be a candidate with a great deal of experience working in the B1G.

Trev Alberts was also listed as a possible candidate. He has been Nebraska’s athletic director since 2021. The B1G will take time to find Warren’s replacement.