When Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren stepped away back in January after less than 30 months on the job to become the president of the Chicago Bears, one name seemed like a logical top choice for the Big Ten to pursue as his replacement - Jim Phillips.
Before leaving to take over as the ACC commissioner, Phillips was the athletic director at Northwestern and was considered one of the most respected athletic directors in the country, but always seemed destined for a bigger role in college athletics.
So it was not a major surprise to see the opportunity to lead the ACC lure him away from his longtime role in Evanston in 2021.
Now, according to a report this morning from Pete Thamel, the ACC working on a deal to keep Phillips in place, and will not lose him to his midwestern roots.
Thamel's report shares that the league and Phillips are finalizing a three-year extension that would ensure he leads the conference through the remainder of the decade.
With Phillips now off the board, the Big Ten will have to turn their focus elsewhere in their search for the new commissioner of one of the most powerful and popular leagues in college athletics.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.