Clemson president: No contact with SEC

Published Aug. 13, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Clemson University President James Barker said Saturday that the school is not changing leagues, despite reports the Tigers might head to the Southeastern Conference.

Barker said the Tigers have no discussions with the SEC.

''We are committed to the ACC,'' he said in a statement. ''We have had no contact with the SEC.''

Clemson surfaced in reports that said the school would possibly join Texas A&M in a move to the SEC as that conference's 13th and 14th teams. The Tigers have been charter members of the ACC since it was formed in 1953.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said he would welcome his state rival to the SEC with open arms.

''I think it would be great if Clemson joined the SEC,'' he said Saturday following the team's first scrimmage of fall camp.

Spurrier said the Tigers would likely be in the SEC Eastern Division, like the Gamecocks, making the annual end-of-the-season matchup that much more intense — like Auburn-Alabama or Mississippi-Mississippi State.

''It would make for a better game,'' Spurrier said.

Spurrier didn't comment on whether Texas A&M would join the SEC, a move that has been the subject of numerous media reports.

Clemson surfaced in those same reports, saying the school would possibly join the Aggies in switching to the SEC as that conference's 13th and 14th teams. The Tigers have been charter members of the ACC since it was formed in 1953.