Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson is stepping down but will "remain in the position until his current contract is up on June 30, 2019," according to Matt Murschel of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. Benson yesterday said he is "very proud of what the Sun Belt has been able to accomplish" since the beginning of his tenure in '12, adding "now is the right time" for the move. When Benson took over the league six years ago, the Sun Belt "consisted of 10 full-time members." But conference realignment saw a "dramatic shift in the college football landscape" as four members, including FAU and FIU, "left the league within a year to join Conference USA." Western Kentucky "would also depart as well." But Benson was "able to rebuild membership with the addition of schools like Appalachian State, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Texas State and Coastal Carolina." He also "helped increase conference revenue distribution to membership" by 2,000%. Benson most recently "bartered a new media rights deal with ESPN" through '28 (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 8/17).
LEGACY OF SUCCESS: In Winston-Salem, Ethan Joyce notes Benson's major accomplishments include establishing a men's basketball "strategic plan aimed at bettering the Sun Belt's profile through a unique regular season scheduling model and reimagined postseason championship" (WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, 8/17). In Louisiana, Tim Buckley noted three of the Sun Belt's current five bowl partners -- Camellia, Cure and Arizona -- were "added during the tenure of Benson." Agreements with the New Orleans Bowl and Dollar General Bowl "also were extended." Benson said that "creating and maintaining five bowl opportunities was his No. 2 accomplishment, second only to the membership picture" (Lafayette DAILY ADVERTISER, 8/16). In South Carolina, Alan Blondin writes Benson was "largely responsible" for Coastal Carolina joining the Sun Belt. Benson "reached out" to the school in '15 regarding a "possible expansion of the league and accepted the Chanticleers into the conference" starting in '16 (Myrtle Beach SUN NEWS, 8/17).
