Where does SEC stand on Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech ruling? Auburn’s John Cohen weighs in
John Cohen made the comments Wednesday during a radio appearance.
Mason Reed 
The landscape of college football is facing a significant legal hurdle following the recent Brendan Sorsby ruling. The decision has sent shockwaves through the sport, with reports suggesting that major programs and conferences, including Nebraska, Georgia, and the Big 12, are contemplating distancing themselves from Texas Tech.
Auburn AD John Cohen Weighs In
Auburn athletic director John Cohen addressed the controversy during an appearance on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 on Wednesday. While Cohen noted that SEC athletic directors hadn't held a formal planned discussion yet, he acknowledged the topic is front and center for the league.
“We have a meeting tomorrow and I’m sure the subject will come up,” Cohen said. “How can it not?”
Cohen expressed deep frustration with the growing trend of athletes bypassing NCAA authority in favor of local court injunctions. He argued that if this trend continues, the fundamental structure of college athletics is at risk. “If that’s how it’s going to be, we will never have any rules,” Cohen stated, adding that he believes this is a widespread concern among his peers in the SEC and across the country.
The Legal Battle Over Eligibility
The controversy stems from the NCAA’s decision to declare Sorsby permanently ineligible after it was revealed he placed thousands of wagers on sporting events, including at least 40 bets on Indiana games while he was on the roster in 2022. Texas Tech attempted to mitigate the situation by imposing a two-game suspension following Sorsby's 35-day stint in a gambling addiction rehabilitation program.
A Lubbock County judge intervened, granting an injunction that allows the quarterback to remain eligible. Cohen questioned the logic of the court's focus on "irreparable harm" to the player, pointing to the potential harm inflicted upon fans and fellow student-athletes who competed against someone placing bets on games.
“It’s just amazing to me that, again, you go to your local judge who may or may not be a fan and maybe they will just grant you everything you want,” Cohen said. “That cannot be the way we operate.”
With a trial date set for Feb. 8 in the 99th District Court in Lubbock County, Sorsby appears positioned to compete throughout the 2026 season. The trial will take place well after the College Football Playoff National Championship, leaving the sport to grapple with the precedent set in the interim.
