The Big East is in a state of turmoil. Former commissioner John Marinatto resigned in May. Syracuse and Pitt defected from the Big East to join the ACC, and West Virginia is headed to the Big 12.
To replace the departing programs, the Big East has absorbed Houston and Memphis. Louisville head basketball coach Rick Pitino thinks he has a solution to solve the commissioner issue. Pitino had the following to say about what he'd want in a commissioner.
"A presence that Presidents and Athletic Directors will respect; a strong personality and creative thinker; a television background and a total understanding of the diversity of its constituents; an ability to bring football into the limelight. Well, Dave Gavitt's vision could be carried out by one man that has come to the necessary way of thinking towards the future. That man is Jay Bilas. I would take a portion of the Syracuse and Pittsburgh money, give him a 5 year contract and pay him 2 million per year. He has charisma, knows T.V., has a legal background, outstanding presence, and a creative thinker. He would be a grand slam."
When talking to Adam Zagoria, who covers the Big East for SNY.tv, Bilas had the following to say about Pitino's endorsement,
"Interesting idea and really flattering. I'm not sure the Big East Presidents are ready for a Little Jeezy bumping in the Big East hallways. It would be nice to earn almost as much as the NCAA President, though."
While far from saying he's interested in the position, Bilas didn't shoot down the idea of becoming Big East commissioner.
Bilas detractors will point to his basketball background as a reason he shouldn't be commissioner, as he would favor basketball over football. However, Bilas wouldn't even be the only commissioner with an ACC basketball history, as Big Ten commissioner Jim Delaney played college hoops in Chapel Hill for North Carolina.
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