PHOENIX – The coming change of commissioners in the Pacific-10 Conference provided a glimmer of hope for advocates of a college football playoff.
The retirement of Tom Hansen and the hiring of Larry Scott, the leader of the Women’s Tennis Association, made some wonder whether the Pac-10 might soften its anti-playoff stance.
The questions multiplied when Scott, who takes over in July, said he wanted “to keep an open mind” about expanding the Bowl Championship Series.
The leadership transition created a bit of buzz at the Pac-10′s annual spring meetings at a resort here this week, as Hansen wound down his tenure and Scott unofficially made the rounds of meetings and cocktail parties.
Scott, who declined to be interviewed, has made a favorable impression on athletic directors, who used the informal setting to become acquainted with their new leader.
“He has great leadership qualities,” University of Arizona athletic director Jim Livengood said. “Fresh eyes, fresh vision.”
But perhaps not a fresh take on the BCS.
“I don’t expect (Scott) to come in and advocate revolution,” said Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby, chairman of the commissioner search committee. “I think he’ll come in and talk to the people in our league and hear a strong message that the BCS – we’re there because we want to be.”
Dokic’s father in jail
BELGRADE, Serbia – Tennis player Jelena Dokic’s father has been ordered to remain in jail for 30 days pending an investigation of threats he reportedly made against the Australian ambassador in Belgrade.
Damir Dokic was detained in his home in northern Serbia on Wednesday.
Police said they found seven hunting rifles, a gun and two bombs during a search of his house.
Serbian newspaper Blic reported Thursday that police confiscated the weapons and that Dokic could face charges of “endangering security (of the ambassador) and unlawful possession of weapons.”