Texas AD Chris Del Conte is preparing for an eventual move to the SEC, as the Longhorns will leave the Big 12 at some point in the next couple of years.

Oklahoma is coming, too, keeping that heated Big 12 rivalry intact.

So, why did the Longhorns choose to join the SEC? Del Conte broke down his thinking for the decision (via On3 Sports):

“Now, the Southeastern Conference — I want to be very candid on this,” said Del Conte. “So many things have changed. Whether it be the tax laws, whether it be who we play at home. We don’t have a real rival at home. Our rival, we play at a neutral site. I loved our time in the Big 12 but we started to look where our brand is and where we’re going and what we need to do.”

He added that the university higher-ups were on board for the move, too.

“(T)he Southeastern Conference was an opportunity that we looked at over the course of conversation. We put ourselves in a position with the SEC and they said ‘this is a good time for us.’ We needed to do something for Texas. Not playing A&M. Not having the traditional rivalries of Arkansas. Remember, in 1903, we were one of the original members of the Southeastern Intercollegiate Athletics Conference, which is a precursor to the SEC. I’m stretching it a little bit but we used to be there. Then we went independent, then we joined the Southwest Conference. So in essence, we’re just coming home.”

Will the Longhorns find immediate success in the SEC? We’ll see how they fare in a few years.