We’ve all heard that the TCU and Big East were secretly in discussions before today’s announcement. So how did it all start?
Well, apparently Pitt basketball coach and TCU alum, Jamie Dixon, fired the first shot:
Meanwhile, Pitt men’s basketball coach Jamie Dixon and a TCU alumnus, confirmed that he did initiate contact between his alma mater and the Big East. Dixon was with Del Conte for a homecoming weekend against Baylor Sept. 18. Dixon and Del Conte spoke about how the Big East was going to need another football member. Dixon tested TCU’s interest and then let Marinatto know of the Horned Frogs’ desire to look at membership. Once TCU’s football team rose in the BCS standings and the Big East struggled, the matter became a need for both parties.
I don’t know if Dixon mentioned the Big East to TCU without the Big East’s requesting it or not. But either way, looks like we have Jamie Dixon to thank, at least in part, for getting TCU aboard.