Impending UConn exit no cause for alarm
AAC commissioner says conference ‘not targeting anyone’ to take Huskies’ place
NEWPORT, R.I. — American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco said the league has no plans to add to its membership in the wake of the UConn’s imminent departure.
“There has been much speculation regarding our membership going forward,” Aresco said at the league’s football media kickoff Tuesday. “We have no plans at this point to add another member to replace UConn. We’re not targeting anyone.”
Aresco did leave the door open, albeit a crack, to the possibility of adding a school sometime in the future.
“Down the road, if there is someone interested in us and they can enhance our brand, we would consider it,” he said.
Nearly three weeks ago, the Big East Conference welcomed UConn back into its membership, leaving the AAC to ponder its next move. The Huskies made the breakup official with a letter to Aresco last week.
“As a founding member of the AAC, UConn has greatly valued its membership,” UConn President Susan Herbst wrote in a letter obtained by the Hartford Courant. “We wish to discuss the potential future relationship between our organizations, if any, as well as the terms and timing of UConn’s withdrawal from the AAC.”
Aresco previously indicated the league has no desire to continue its relationship with UConn as a football-only member. That places the Huskies program in limbo once a move to the Big East is official.
He indicated there is no definitive exit date in mind, with discussions ongoing.
Options include a departure after the 2019-20 season or perhaps 2020-21. Aresco added talks have been amicable.
UConn coach Randy Edsall said while he understands questions about the uncertainty facing the Huskies football program, he can only focus on what he can control.
“The only thing I’m concerned about is 2019 and playing Wagner,” Edsall said Tuesday, naming UConn’s season-opening opponent. “Other than that I’m not concerned about anything else.
“We know we have a 12-game schedule that we’re playing here in 2019; that’s all we can control and that’s all we’re concerned about. I can put the blinders on pretty good, and I know my players can too. I’ve been around too long to understand you worry about the things you can control.”
Aresco indicated a final decision on whether to remain an 11-member football league could come sooner rather than later.
“We’re leaning strongly that way already,” he said. “We think we could play with 11.”