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Jim Delany defends addition of Maryland, Rutgers in the B1G by saying both will be ‘very competitive’ in 25 to 50 years
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Adding Rutgers and Maryland to the B1G has been one of the very few moves outgoing conference commissioner Jim Delany has made that has received some serious criticism. The lack of competitiveness, particularly on the football field, has been staggering since both entered the league in 2014.
But Delany isn’t a short-term payoff kind of guy. When he makes a move, he’s looking into the future. And in the case of Maryland and Rutgers, he was looking way into the future.
Delany spoke with Chicago Tribune reporter Teddy Greenstein in an “exit interview” as the 30-year B1G commissioner steps down from his post in a few weeks. He was asked about some of the regrets he had during his tenure, but Delany had very few.
When the topic of Rutgers and Maryland came up, Delany defended that move.
“I don’t think people should evaluate this in the short term,” Delany told Greenstein. “But in a 25-year or 50-year period, I think they’re going to be very competitive. They are added value. And if the Big Ten had stayed at 10 and not taken on any risk associated with expansion, we probably would be tied for the fourth-largest conference.”
Rutgers has appeared in just one bowl game since joining the B1G in 2014, and Maryland has appeared in just two. Both programs are on their third head coach in the last six seasons.
So far, neither the Scarlet Knights nor the Terrapins have added much football value to the B1G in terms of results. But Delany believes it’s coming, it just may take some time.
You can read Greenstein’s full interview with Delany here.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB