“The Buck Stops Here!”

EDITORIAL

BY TexCane

Former president Harry Truman coined the phrase… "The Buck Stops Here” referring to any failures by his administration. He took responsibility as the leader of our country.

Another disaster was avoided when Miami made it into the playoffs on Sunday. The Doomsday Scenario was avoided but the root cause has not gone away.

The Atlantic Coast Conference has become the laughing stock of college athletics after years of missteps by the conference leadership, starting with Commissioner Jim Phillips.

The ACC hired Jim Phillips as commissioner in 2021. He came to the ACC from Northwestern University where he served as the athletic director from 2008 to 2021.

Unfortunately, after four years of Mr. Phillips’ leadership, there is nothing positive to show for it.

Let’s examine the evidence.

Revenue Gap:

Commissioner Philips’ troubles began immediately when the revenue gap between the BigTen/SEC and the ACC/Big-12 became a major internal issue. The ACC significantly trails the SEC and Big Ten conferences in revenue generation through a long-term media rights agreement with ESPN. His member schools are extremely unhappy with the worsening revenue gap. Despite a number of “band-aid” attempts, ACC schools are fighting a losing battle to remain competitively relevant against the “Super 2.” The conference’s media rights agreement with ESPN doesn’t run out until 2036. Despite a number of “band-aid” solutions, there appears to be no near-term solution for the ACC member schools.

Level Playing field…

While ACC schools are fighting an uphill battle to stay financially competitive with SEC and Big Ten schools, the ACC football programs are in a death spiral, with no commissioner support in sight..

It began to show in 2023 when FSU, despite an undefeated (13-0) season, was left out of the NCAA’s college football playoffs.

Why?

The power brokers of the college athletics didn’t want the ACC in the public eye.

Where was Phillips?

He failed to stand up for his schools publicly. He doesn’t like to competitively mix it up with his fellow commissioners, only his conference members.

The 2025 ACC football season almost suffered a “doomsday scenario.” If it wasn’t for Miami’s last minute inclusion in the College Football Playoff, the ACC would have faced the distinct possibility of having NO team in the national playoffs. Mario Cristobal had to personally wage a last minute national campaign to present why the Canes deserved to be selected for the playoffs.

Where was Phillips?

Why did this become necessary? Miami was widely recognized as the best team in the ACC but “officially” placed third due to an old and outdated conference tiebreaker parameter. A major misstep and black eye for the conference.

How could Jim Phillips allow this to happen?

Media Partner?

The ACC has a business relationship with ESPN that runs through 2036. The only problem is the network also has a business relationship with the SEC. ESPN treats the ACC like the red-headed step child. ESPN favors the SEC constantly, giving preferred coverage on their channels to the SEC while spinning negative narratives about ACC schools, coaches and student-athletes.

ESPN degrades the ACC football image at every turn. Even subtly campaigning against ACC schools, spreading those negative narratives to better position SEC schools. This conference “partnership” has severely damaged the reputation of ACC, especially on the recruiting trail.

And Phillips stands by idly.

ACC Officiating…

The ACC football officiating is recognized as the worst in the FBS. It has our hurt teams as they struggle to remain competitive on the field with the rest of the Power Four conferences. What has Phillips done to change the situation?

ACC Basketball…

Once thought the preeminent college basketball conference, the ACC has seen its basketball programs race back to the pack in recent years.

On Phillips watch.

Innovation…

Jim Phillips is not known as an aggressive and innovative leader. He’s more of a politician/administrator. This has severely hurt the conference. The ACC is always on the defense, putting out competitive fires.

BOTTOM LINE:

Jim Phillips has not demonstrated the skills needed to compete and succeed in the new college athletic landscape.

“If you keep doing things the same way, you should expect the same results.”

It time for the “buck to stop here” at the feet of Jim Phillips.

GO ACC! GO CANES!