Paul Finebaum: Virginia Tech was ‘strongest candidate’ for SEC expansion in 2012
By Jason Hall
Published:
Virginia Tech was the SEC’s top choice during conference expansion, at least according to Paul Finebaum.
During an interview with Greg Burton on his radio show Hardly Workin’ on ESPN950, the SEC pundit discussed how serious a candidate Virginia Tech was to joining the conference during conference realignment.
“Virginia Tech I think was probably the strongest candidate,” said Finebaum.
In 2012, the ACC’s new television deal began disscussions to whether schools would leave for other conferences. Maryland left for the Big Ten and Florida State openly considered a move to the Big 12. Among the talks surrounding realignment was the rumor that Virginia Tech was said to be a target for the SEC.
Rumors of the Hokies interest had been circulating since the beginning of the conference realignment frenzy of 2010-13, but the talks seemed more serious as the ACC’s position became weaker. Despite Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver stating his school’s support of the ACC, the SEC still felt that the Hokies were the best addition for their conference.
“It was a good fit,” said Finebaum. “The fanbase was rabid, the football seemed to fit the SEC.”
The addition of Virginia Tech would have seemingly opened a pipeline into the talented recruiting grounds of southern Virginia, as well as bring in the Washington, D.C. television market. However, the jump to the SEC was never made and Virginia Tech remained a member of the ACC, while the SEC added Texas A&M and Missouri.
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky
