End of an Era: Cotton Bowl President Rick Baker Retires
A major figure in the postseason landscape of college football is stepping down. Cotton Bowl President and CEO Rick Baker announced on Wednesday that he is retiring after a remarkable 38-year tenure with the organization. His retirement is set to take effect on April 30.
Baker's leadership has been instrumental in guiding the Cotton Bowl through significant changes in college football, most notably its inclusion as a premier bowl game in the College Football Playoff rotation. The game, a historic staple of New Year's Day, has frequently featured SEC champions and top contenders, making Baker's departure noteworthy for the conference. He joined the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association in 1988 as the director of marketing and ascended to the role of president and CEO in 2010.
The Cotton Bowl will continue to be a key postseason destination, scheduled to host a CFP quarterfinal next season and a national semifinal at the conclusion of the 2027 season. Baker's long-standing leadership has solidified the North Texas game as a central piece of the national championship picture.
QUICK HITS
- Lady Vols Golf Claims Double Championship: The No. 24/25 ranked Tennessee women's golf team put on a dominant performance to win the Florida Atlantic Paradise Invitational on Wednesday. The team secured a four-stroke victory, marking their second team title of the season. Sophomore Kyra Van Kan also earned her first career individual victory, finishing at 10-under-par for a decisive four-stroke win in the 90-golfer field.
- Mississippi State Softball Opens Season in Texas: The No. 22/24 Mississippi State Bulldogs are set to begin their 2026 softball season on Thursday at the Getterman Classic in Waco, Texas. The Bulldogs, who have won their last 12 season openers, will kick off the tournament against host Baylor.
- Florida Swimming & Diving Adds International Talent: The Florida Gators women's swimming and diving program announced a key addition for its 2026-27 roster, welcoming freestyle specialist Carla Serra. Serra, a native of Canet en Roussillon, France, will join the nationally-ranked Gators in the fall of 2026.
- Entries Open for 98th Texas Relays: A sign that the track and field season is ramping up, entries have officially opened for the 98th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. The prestigious event, hosted by the Texas Longhorns, is a major focal point on the national and SEC track and field calendar.
PORTAL WATCH
The NCAA transfer portal was quiet for Southeastern Conference teams on Wednesday, with no new entries or commitments of significance to report across the major sports.
RECRUITING BUZZ
It was a calm day on the traditional recruiting trails, with no major football or basketball commitments announced across the conference. However, future rosters continue to take shape in other sports. As noted above, the Florida Gators women's swimming & diving team landed a commitment from French freestyler Carla Serra, who will join the team for the 2026-27 season, bolstering an already strong program with international experience.
GAMES TO WATCH
A pair of intriguing women's basketball matchups are on the docket for Wednesday and Thursday night.
- Arkansas at Missouri (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. CST, SECN+): The Arkansas Razorbacks travel to face the Missouri Tigers in a midweek conference battle. Both teams are looking to build momentum as the regular season schedule intensifies.
- #19 Tennessee at Georgia (Thursday, 6:30 p.m. ET): Coming off a bye week, the Georgia Lady Bulldogs return to Stegeman Coliseum for a tough test against the No. 19-ranked Tennessee Lady Vols. Tennessee holds a 55-20 advantage in the all-time series, but Georgia secured a victory in their last meeting.