ACC Commissioner Has Blunt Message For Florida State, Clemson Amid Departure Rumors

The dust may have settled for a moment or two in terms of conference realignment but two ACC programs are doing whatever they can to get out of their conference.

Florida State and Clemson are caught up in litigation with the ACC, and as revealed by Commissioner Jim Phillips on Monday the conference doesn't plan to back down either. Phillips expressed that the ACC will combat the lawsuits "for as long as it takes" and that he is looking to ensure the conference isn't ripped apart as we saw happen to the Pac-12 this past year.

"I can state that we will fight to protect the ACC and our members for as long as it takes," Phillips told the media. "We are confident in this league and that it will remain a premier conference in college athletics for the long-term future. These disputes continue to be extremely damaging, disruptive and incredibly harmful to the league."

Although the ACC is viewed as having its days numbered, Phillips revealed just how confident he is in the future of the conference. On top of that, he also got in a jab at the two programs attempting to leave, expressing that they aren't more important than the rest of the programs.

"Forceful moments deserve forceful support and leadership," Phillips said Monday. "I don't know that I've changed at all, other than I stand by everything I've said. Either you believe in what's been signed or you don't. We're going to do everything we can to protect the league. This has been a league that started way before me -- 71 years ago -- and will be a league around a long time after I depart. What gives conviction? I understand where we're going. This conference is bigger than any one school or schools."

Florida State and Clemson were reportedly hoping to land in the Big Ten or SEC, but neither conference has publicly reciprocated their interests. Instead, they have been linked to the Big 12, but as reported by CBS Sports ' Dennis Dodd, they won't be going anywhere for quite some time.

Related: Paul Finebaum Names Deion Sanders As 'Perfect Replacement' For Elite CFB Coach