The Big Ten ‘Circus’ Now Has Coaches Vs. Presidents and Possibility of Fall Play

As a Wisconsin alum, the institutional incompetence of the Big Ten is anguishing. As a blogger, the institutional incompetence of the Big Ten is a gift that keeps on giving. This morning, we wrote about how they are hiding from the Nebraska player lawsuit and FOIA requests, but they can’t hide forever. Now, a bevy of reporting indicates that they may play this Fall after all.

Recall, that in an open letter written just nine days ago, Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren said, “The vote by the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors (COP/C) was overwhelmingly in support of postponing fall sports and will not be revisited.”

Guess what: they’re revisiting it!

First, Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that the conference was considering returning to football play the week of Thanksgiving (which, for the entire history of the holiday, has landed in the Fall).

Previously, the Big Ten had an astoundingly stupid plan to play in the winter and spring, during peak flu season, indoors, subjecting players to 18+ games of wear and tear on their bodies in a calendar year, and without the best players who would invariably skip the season for the Draft. Everyone trumpeting this idea was rightfully mocked.

Now the floodgates are open as the college football media confirms Potrykus’s report but there’s also talk of a coaches insurrection seeking to push the start of the season even sooner:

SOURCE: Big Ten coaches are meeting on a call right now. Am told "it's a real possibility" that the Big Ten may try to reverse course and play later this fall. https://t.co/lbZJePwUbG

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) August 28, 2020

One source described the situation as “a circus,” and said some coaches won’t listen to their presidents. “Everyone is pushing their own interests.”

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) August 28, 2020

Can confirm the Big Ten has discussed a potential start date around Thanksgiving, but that is just one of multiple plans that could be in the works.

"Multiple plans are and have been discussed," the source said.

— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) August 28, 2020

This feels like a battle between late September / early October on the coaches’ side, and Thanksgiving on the conference’s. Meanwhile, good luck to the chancellors and presidents who have cravenly remained anonymous, while cumulatively collecting $13.6 million in taxpayer money, continuing to skirt responsibility if they find themselves at war with their football coaches.

Earlier today, Outkick founder Clay Travis broke down the politics of the Big Ten presidents and commissioner Kevin Warren.