Big 12 Commissioner Beebe Out

(AP) -- Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe is out after the conference nearly collapsed for the second time in just over a year.

In a statement, the Big 12 said its board of directors and Beebe reached a "mutual agreement" for Beebe to leave the job immediately.

Former Big Eight Commissioner Chuck Neinas will serve as interim commissioner. He was a unanimous selection by Big 12 university presidents on a conference call Thursday.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)