University of Texas president says joining B1G, ACC were under internal consideration

Before the University of Texas made the decision to cut loose from the Big 12 and join the SEC, two other conferences were under consideration. School president Jay Hartzell confirmed that during a special Senate committee meeting in front of Texas lawmakers on Monday.

Hartzell was asked if the school explored joining the B1G or the ACC before making a decision to reach out to the SEC. He confirmed that those two leagues were under consideration, but Texas did not reach out to either conference.

Jay Hartzell said Texas explored the options of joining the Big Ten and the ACC.

— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) August 3, 2021

To be clear: Hartzell said Texas never reached out to those leagues but did consider internally.

— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) August 3, 2021

Texas and Oklahoma recently formally notified the Big 12 that it would be leaving the conference and then asked for an invitation to the SEC. The conference accepted the request and it was approved by all 14 presidents in the league.

While no other teams have decided to leave the Big 12 at this time, it could cause a massive reshuffling in college athletics and could lead to further conference realignment.

The Longhorns and Sooners will play in the Big 12 during the 2021-22 academic year. And while their grant of rights with the conference extends until 2025, there’s chatter that the two schools could join the SEC much earlier.