Tranghese bullish on the Bulls

Posted Jul 30, 2008 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Jul 30, 2008 at 01:10 AM

NEWPORT, R.I. - What would a trip to the Big East’s media days be without asking Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese some questions about the Bulls. Needless to say, Tranghese is very impressed with what the Bulls have done in the short term and also bullish on their future.

In 1979, Tranghese was the first employee hired by the Big East Conference. In July 2009, he will retire as the Big East’s commissioner, a position he’s held since 1990. A big reason for his retirement: his fear of flying.

Here’s a few questions for the commish.

Q: Are you surprised how fast USF has made an impact since joining the league?
A: Not really. I talked to people who I really respect in football – I’m not going to tell you who but big-time football people – they all told me this is what’s going to happen. I think anyone knows that investigated the South Florida situation, understands the potential because of its geographic location and the fact they’re surrounded by so many talented football players.

South Florida has the ability to be a perennially contender for our football championship and a perennial Top 25 team. I think it’s within their grasp. They have a huge advantage because of its location, the university is thriving, growing, so many good things going on with the university. We’re just starting to see Tampa get excited about USF.

Q: What is USF’s long-term outlook?
A: I think South Florida is capable of playing with Miami and Florida State, long-term down the road. Why not? Great university, great location, great facilities now and they’re in a BCS league with a chance to play for the national championship.

Q: What played into your decision to retire?
A: My fear of flying. It’s really gotten bad, especially in the small planes. I’ve got claustrophobia. Flying on regional jets is not something I want to do. You can’t get around unless you fly regional jets now a days.

Q: What will you miss the most?
A: I’ll miss the games. I’ve got a lot of relations, I’ll miss the people, but I love the games. It’s still the best part of the job.

Q: Do you want a ninth-football member?
A: I just don’t think there’s anybody out there that makes us better. If there was somebody out there, who could make us better, I think our people would react to it very quickly. We talk about it all the time. I don’t think there’s anyone there that makes us better.

Q: Does the Big East need to win a national title to prove itself?
A I could name a lot of conferences that haven’t won a national championship in a long time. You can look at that game, whether glass is half empty, half full. I look at it as an optimist, so I look at it from point of view from Pittsburgh. Dave [Wannstedt] is trying to rebuild and I know what that game meant for them as we get here to this season, Pittsburgh is taken very seriously. I thought of West Virginia would have [beaten Pitt], I think they would have had a heck of a chance to win, because the game would have been played on turf and Pat White has shown what he can do on turf. They didn’t get it done, they didn’t deserve to be in the game.

Q: Talk about the league’s balance.
A: We have a lot of people that can play at a high level. I think when Miami left, which had such an incredible run I said ‘There are no Miamis here.’ But there aren’t a lot of Miamis anywhere. We’re talking about the old Miami. You don’t need to have that to be successful. I think it’s being competitive, going on the national scene and being competitive

Q: Do you see other BCS leagues expanding (and taking schools from the Big East)?
A: I look at the future, I don’t see the 12-team conferences [ACC, Big 12 and SEC] expanding. [As far as the Big 10 and Pac-10] last time I heard those two conferences don’t want a playoff, so why expand? Neither the Big 10 or Pac-10 are being threatened at their particular size. I would argue that if they’re not going to have a [league] playoff, getting larger makes more scheduling challenges. If you get to a 12-team league, how are you going to determine a champion if you’re not going to have a [conference championship game]? Why go to a 12th team?

Q: In one word, describe the Big East?
A: Vibrant.

Q: QB Matt Grothe?
A: Special.

Q: DE George Selvie?
A: Dynamic.