Scott Draper hired as new Big 12 vice president of football

The Big 12 conference has hired the American Athletic Conference’s Associate Commissioner of Football Scott Draper as it’s new vice president of football, ESPN’s Pete Thamel writes.

Draper spent the last eight years with the AAC, where he was in charge of all football operations from scheduling to officiating. He served as coaches and athletic director’s primary contact for information and other athletic needs.

This hiring coincides with the near departure for AAC giants Cincinnati, Houston and UCF to move into the conference, right before Texas and Oklahoma make the jump to the SEC.

Prior to his role as the AAC’s football commissioner, associate director of athletics and director of development for athletics at Albion College in Michigan. Prior to that, he served as the assistant AD for the Michigan Wolverines.

Big 12 negotiations open door for early Texas, Oklahoma exit to SEC

Oklahoma and Texas are slated to leave the Big 12 for the SEC by the 2025 season, at least for now. Per a report, the two programs could be looking to leave the conference sooner thanks to the Big 12 starting television rights negotiations early with ESPN and Fox.

According to Dennis Dobbs of CBS Sports, the Big 12’s talks have led the Longhorns and Sooners to have “active discussions” regarding their departure. Dobbs says it’s a “consequence” of the negotiations starting early.

“As a consequence of @Big12Conference starting negotiations early with rightsholders sources tell CBS Sports there are now active discussions regarding Texas and Oklahoma leaving early for the SEC,” Dobbs said.

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If Oklahoma and Texas are to leave early, the 2023 season would be the earliest. Both are locked into the Big 12 this year with kickoff just a few weeks away. Things can develop quickly in the offseason though, as we have seen with all of conference realignment. 

The Big 12 will be bringing four new members into their conference for the 2023 season as well. Both departing schools could want to jump ship before their arrival. Especially if new television deals are being worked out with ESPN and Fox.