John Marinattowas named Big East commissioner Wednesday, a bump from his current position as senior associate commissioner. Wouldn’t you know it, WVU approves!

But seriously, Marinatto has had a pretty big role in the Big East the past six years and despite what you say about status quo, the conference has been on fire since the collapse-rebuild fiasco of 2003-04. He won’t take over until July 1, 2009, which means he’ll take target for the Big East’s bowl alignment right away.

On his conference call today, Marinatto wouldn’t pressure Notre Dame into anything greater than its current role, said there is no talk of or plans to split the conference and generally promised that whle the league was stayng the course, the best is yet to come.