Regional and national media may "take a closer look" at "what is going on" in Conference USA this fall after Lane Kiffin took over as FAU football coach and Butch Davis became coach at FIU, according to Brett Vito of the DENTON RECORD-CHRONICLE. The attention Kiffin brings to C-USA is something that "seemed out of reach" in previous years. What might be "just as important for C-USA are the rivalries and familiarity building between the teams." Louisiana Tech coach Skip Holtz: "The stability of the league has helped it improve. ... When you play teams every year, you hear your guys say 'I don't like them.'" Conference USA is "far from perfect," but there is "little doubt joining the league has been a boon" for the Univ. of North Texas. UNT had gone eight years "without playing in a bowl game before joining the league" in '13, but has been to two bowls since. UTEP coach Sean Kugler said, "There is no doubt the league is getting better. It has gotten better every year I have been a part of it" (DENTON RECORD-CHRONICLE, 7/27).
HIGH ON A MOUNTAIN: Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson at yesterday's media day said that the MWC is "focused on figuring out a way to turn new media platforms into revenue streams." Thompson: "Media is a huge issue for us. We have three years left in a contract with CBS and ESPN and we’re trying to work with our athletic directors to determine just how important linear is, how important digital is and how you want to receive that content." In Las Vegas, Mike Grimala notes when the MWC's current TV deals with ESPN and CBS expire after '20, the conference could be "facing a different media landscape, with streaming networks and other broadcast options to consider" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 7/27).
