Memphis AD ‘Hurt’ By Big 12 Rejection

Memphis Athletic Director Ed Scott admitted this week that the Tigers’ rejection from the Big 12 Conference still stings.

Appearing on the Gary Parrish Show, Scott was candid about the emotions that came with being left out of the league’s most recent round of expansion.

“I’m a human being,” Scott said. “I don’t like being rejected. If I interview for a job and they tell me no, it hurts. If I said anything different, I would be disingenuous, and that’s just not my style. So, that hurt. You don’t want anyone to tell you that they don’t want you.”

Memphis has long been viewed as a candidate for Power 4 expansion, with the Big 12 being the most obvious destination given geography and existing rivalries. Still, the league opted against adding the Tigers, even with a genero us financial offer, leaving Memphis on the outside looking in.

Scott emphasized that while the setback was difficult, Memphis remains focused on long-term opportunity. “I think sometimes, in life, you’ve got to have a little bit of faith,” Scott said. “Our focus, as a department, is on timing and circumstance. I think this situation is still very fluid.”

He also addressed why Memphis didn’t consider a move to the Pac-12, which has scrambled to stay relevant after the departure of its top brands. “The only reason why we didn’t jump at the Pac-12 deal is because financially, it didn’t make sense,” Scott explained. “The worst thing I can do is if we make a move and then we’re not successful in that move.”

While Memphis continues to search for a path into the Power 4, Scott’s comments reflect both the frustration of rejection and the belief that the Tigers’ chance could still come in the future.