The SEC made a bold move by prohibiting players with a domestic violence past to be prohibited from transferring to a program within the conference. In light of the recent story at Baylor and Sam Ukwuachu, the Big 12 is now preparing to adopt a similar rule.
Big 12 athletic directors have voted in support of a policy following the script drafted by the SEC with regard to players with conduct problems and transfers. The policy must still be formally approved by a joint council, according to Kirk Bohls, but everybody appears to be on board with the new policy, and it may even be made stronger before it is added to the Big 12 policies. Big 12 athletic directors are scheduled to review the new policy at a meeting on September 22. It will then be presented to the Big 12 board of directors on October 26.
Texas Athletics Directors Steve Patterson and Chris Plonsky have expressed a desire to adopt a stronger version of the SEC model. What that would entail remains unknown, although it may extend the reach of what falls under the category of misconduct.
The timing may make it seem the Big 12 is simply reacting to the Baylor story, but the topic had previously been discussed before. Given the sensitive nature of the story that unfolded at Baylor though, the Big 12 would be silly to hold up approving this new policy at this point. Now it will be up to the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 (and any other conference) to follow up with similar policy changes.