ACC coaches wary of more realignment — ‘Guessing it’s not over’

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — ACC commissioner Jim Phillips expressed his strong confidence in the Atlantic Coast Conference’s future during his first media address since the addition of California, Stanford, and SMU. Speaking at the ACC Tipoff, Phillips stated, “I’ve never been more bullish about the health of the league. My goal is to ensure the ACC remains as healthy for the next 70 years as it has been in the past.”

Addressing the past summer’s challenges, Phillips acknowledged the concerns raised by Florida State University (FSU) regarding the league’s revenue distribution model. However, the ACC responded swiftly by securing California, Stanford, and SMU, which will join the conference in the 2024-25 academic year.

Emphasizing his receptiveness to campus concerns, Phillips affirmed, “We cannot control individual decisions, but we have been proactive in addressing the issues raised by our member institutions. The ACC’s expansion to 18 teams ensures the conference’s long-term stability, safeguarding it for the future.”

While ACC men’s basketball coaches supported the conference’s additions, they remained cautious about potential future realignment. Miami coach Jim Larranaga stated, “We had to take action to ensure our stability. I anticipate further changes in the future.” Duke coach Jon Scheyer echoed this sentiment, saying, “For anyone to think this is the end of realignment is misguided.”

Virginia coach Tony Bennett, having coached in the Pac-10, expressed his familiarity with the incoming schools but voiced some reservations. “This decision seems primarily driven by football, viewership, and financial considerations. While I have respect for these institutions, I wonder about the implications and uncertainties that may arise from this move,” he said.

Looking ahead, Phillips hinted that not all 18 teams in the ACC may participate in the postseason conference tournaments for men’s and women’s basketball. “We’re not necessarily inclined to invite all 18 teams. We believe participating in these prestigious tournaments should be earned by meeting a certain threshold,” Phillips commented. “We don’t prioritize adding extra days to the schedule, but ultimately, we will listen to the membership’s input.”