Former Virginia Tech Coach Pushes for a Monumental ACC-Big East Merger
Could college basketball be on the brink of a massive shake-up? Former Virginia Tech head coach and ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg believes so, calling the potential merger between the ACC and Big East a “no-brainer.”
The idea of combining these two powerhouse conferences has been circulating for months, first gaining traction when legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski floated the possibility. Now, as the ACC Tournament unfolds, the discussion is heating up again. With only four ACC teams making it into this year’s NCAA Tournament—and early exits already eliminating Clemson and Louisville—the conference, once a dominant force in college basketball, is facing serious questions about its long-term viability.
Greenberg sees a clear solution: bring the ACC and Big East together into a super-conference focused solely on basketball. “I think it’s a no-brainer,” he said. “Here’s the thing—I think this should happen, and from a big-picture standpoint, it makes total sense. Football and basketball need to be separated. Chip Kelly said this a long time ago, and I’ve had conversations with ACC officials saying, ‘Why wouldn’t you investigate this?’ This is a common-sense move.”
According to Greenberg, an ACC-Big East merger would reignite classic rivalries, increase national interest, and create blockbuster matchups that could revitalize college basketball. He emphasized the importance of “creating events” in today’s sports landscape, where fan engagement and high-profile games dictate the success of a league.
While the logistics of such a move remain uncertain, Greenberg’s argument is hard to ignore. With the ACC struggling to maintain its basketball prestige and the Big East already boasting a strong basketball-first identity, this potential mega-conference could change the landscape of college sports forever.
The question now is: will the decision-makers listen?