AAC Football is alive and well. That was the message from Commissioner Mike Aresco at media days who made his case for his new-look league.
Commissioner Mike Aresco has never been one to shy away from voicing his opinion. On Tuesday morning he kicked off AAC Football media days with his familiar candor, petitioning the gathered media and all who would listen to regard his new-look conference with respect.
“I want to remind everyone that follows college football what this conference has accomplished,” Aresco said. “It’s sometimes hard to understand how some in the media continue to call us non-Power. Some have even called us mid-major. Nothing could be farther from the truth.”
He went on to cite a lengthy list of wins AAC programs have had over Power 5 schools in recent years, and mentioned four ESPN College Game Days hosted by member institutions. He listed the accolades and national awards AAC players have claimed under his watch.
“Mid-major conferences simply don’t do that. And to call such powerful performances non-Power is utterly silly.”
Aresco did what he does best, advocate for the programs under his umbrella and while some of his assertations may have been a bit optimistic, much of what he did offer up was rooted in truth. For as long as this league has existed, it’s made an impact on the national stage. And for the six programs joining the conference in 2023, that’s what matters the most.
“We’re a battle-hardened, resolute group. We refuse to embrace the stereotype that our achievements have clearly put a lie to,” Aresco admonished.
No matter who you designate the AAC — power or non-power, P5 or G5, or something else entirely — this is a conference that has made an impact on the national stage time and time again.
