On Monday, the A&M System Board of Regents voted to give Loftin carte blanche to pursue conference alignment. That could mean bolting for the SEC, if offered an official invitation. Or remaining status quo, if the school views the Big 12 as a stable, financially beneficial option for them.
Monday's vote, Loftin said, was about giving the Aggies options.
"We've made no decision about terminating our relationship with the Big 12," said Loftin, who answered media questions for the first time since the news of A&M's flirtation with the SEC broke last week.
"This is all about what is best for Texas A&M, along with visibility for us and our athletes and financial resources. That's what it's all about. I think anybody in my shoes would have exactly the same kinds of concerns.
"It's not so much what's wrong with the Big 12; it's what's right for Texas A&M and where we want to go in time," he said.
However, John Sharp, who was named the lone finalist Monday to be the A&M system's chancellor, provided a hint as to what is on the minds of the Aggies in power.
"Yes, I'm for going to the SEC," Sharp said. "I think it's a win-win situation."
Another high-ranking Big 12 school administrator believed the Aggies leaving for the SEC was a given, not if but when.
"They will leave," the Big 12 administrator told the American-Statesman on Monday night. "We'll try to add one or three teams." The administrator added that the Big 12 will try to persuade Notre Dame and Brigham Young to consider joining the league if A&M departs .
Loftin stressed there was no timetable for making a call on a conference affiliation, deeming it an every "100-year" type of decision. Loftin said he called Slive on July 21 after a board of regents meeting.
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