Del Conte flaunts Texas' aura ahead of Southeastern Conference entrance

DESTIN, Fla. — A little more than a month remains until Texas is an official member of the Southeastern Conference.

Yet, with a contingent here for SEC Spring Meetings this week, Texas was… Well, being Texas.

Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte appeared with the SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum on Wednesday and immediately let it be known that the Longhorns are kind of a big deal.

“Have you been to the Red River Rivalry? (Texas vs. Oklahoma game),” Del Conte asked Finebaum. “It’s ridiculous. It’s the greatest thing ever.

“You may talk about the Cocktail Party (Florida vs. Georgia), the Iron Bowl (Alabama vs. Auburn). There’s nothing like this game.”

The voice sounded like Del Conte's, but it might have been beer talking. At least that would explain claiming grandeur over bitter feuds between rivals that have won a combined 11 national championships since Texas last won one.

Jay Janner / American-Statesman

Texas and Oklahoma will officially join the conference on July 1, 2024.

It’s steers spreading bull. Inevitably, the Longhorns will brag that they let the SEC join them.

Not that long ago, Texas and Oklahoma routinely dismissed the notion of SEC dominance. They said the SEC's power was really just Alabama, and everyone else was riding the Tide’s coattails.

Remember when former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said the SEC was overrated?

Interestingly, five different SEC teams have won football national championships since the Sooners last won one.

But now condemnations have given way to celebrations.

Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters how the SEC logo is being added to the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium playing field. He lauded the competitive spirit of the SEC.

“Week in and week out, the challenges that (the SEC)  poses for you… ,” Sarkisian said. “Whether it’s playing on the road, whether it’s game planning against some of the best coaches in our sport or whether it’s competing against some of the best athletes in college football, there are great challenges.”

Certainly, Texas will find more challenges in the SEC than in the Big 12. Those days in which they struggle to eke out victories over Houston, Kansas State and TCU more than likely become losses in the SEC.

Sometimes, those become embarrassing losses.

That’s just one jolt of reality to await the Longhorns. They won’t run the SEC. Alabama and perhaps Georgia do that. Greg Sankey won’t be a puppet commissioner like Dan Beebe was back in the day.

Also, whining about “horns down” gestures won’t play well in the SEC. Texas used its influence in the Big 12 to make “horns down” a 15-yard penalty.

That flag won’t fly in the SEC.

When news broke at 2021 SEC Media Days that Texas and Oklahoma would join the SEC, a Missouri offensive lineman questioned whether it was a good move.

“If you can’t handle a ‘horns down’ gesture, I figure it’ll probably be tough to play in this league,” Case Cook said.

In the SEC, the competition is tougher. Fans are crazier. Stadiums are louder. Hatred runs deeper.

Statements like what Del Conte made to Finebaum — even if it was made in jest — will only raise the ire of SEC fans and direct more hatred toward Texas.

Or maybe not. Texas A&M Director of Athletics Trev Alberts looks forward to renewing the rivalry with Texas this season. He expects no ill will.

“There will be no acrimony between the two of us,” Alberts said. “Obviously, we want to do well against each other. This is what makes college sports. It’s regional rivalries. It’s what builds the excitement.

“When you have programs like Texas and Texas A&M in the same state this close together, it’s going to be fantastic. We’re thrilled about it. We’re looking forward to the rivalry.”

It should be noted that this, too, will be Alberts’ first year in the SEC.

He still has some learning to do.