Tommy Tuberville created quite the stir earlier in the week when the new Texas Tech head coach said during a radio interview that, among other things, he didn’t think the Big 12 conference “will last long.”
Tuberville’s message of impending doom for the Big 12 ultimately found its way to the conference offices, and the league has responded with a very stiff and severe slap on the wrist.
According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Tuberville has been publicly reprimanded by the commissioner for the statements he made during the radio spot.
“Tommy Tuberville’s comments were unfortunate, and contrary to the very strong feelings of unity expressed publicly and privately by the Big 12 Board of Directors and athletic directors,” Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said in a statement. “Coach Tuberville has admitted that his comments do not reflect his true feelings of respect for the conference, its leadership, and his excitement about its future and has apologized to the conference and its members.
“In deciding to reprimand Coach Tuberville, I took into account that this is a first-time offense and that he has committed to adhere to the rules and contribute to strengthen the conference. If not for these factors, a more significant penalty would be assessed, and will be if there are any future violations.”
It’s believed the more significant penalties Beebe refers to would involve some combination of a slap to both wrists, stripping him of dessert every other day for a solid two weeks, and limiting his X-box time to two hours a day during the work week.
Tuberville is currently duct taped in Beebe’s coat closet on vacation and not available for comment.