Watch Jeff Faris’ introduction as Austin Peay football coach
Jeff Faris, a native of Knoxville and former UCLA and Duke assistant, was introduced as Austin Peay’s football coach at a conference Monday.
Austin Peay will join the United Athletic Conference in 2026, departing the Atlantic Sun along with the league’s four other football-playing members.The UAC and ASUN, which will continue as a non-football conference, will operate independently but partner for scheduling and media rights purposes.
Austin Peay will depart the Atlantic Sun Conference in July 2026 to join the Western Athletic Conference, which will then rebrand as the United Athletic Conference.
The ASUN and the WAC announced what they called a “groundbreaking strategic alliance” on June 26. The five football-playing members of the ASUN — APSU, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama and West Georgia — will join WAC members Abilene Christian, Tarleton State and Texas-Arlington to create a new eight-school, all-sports conference. UT-Arlington is the only school without a football program.
“As collegiate athletics enters a transformational era, bold leadership is essential,” WAC commissioner Rebekah Ray said in a news release. “Our alliance with the ASUN positions our institutions for long-term success and greater competitive opportunities. This important step includes a period of transition, highlighted by the rebranding of our conference. While we look ahead, we remain committed to honoring the storied history and tradition of the Western Athletic Conference. We are excited to embark on this next chapter as the United Athletic Conference and to collaboratively build the consortium with our partners.”
The ASUN will continue with seven members — Bellarmine, Florida Gulf Coast, Jacksonville, Lipscomb, North Florida, Queens and Stetson. Of…
Source link : https://www.theleafchronicle.com/story/sports/college/apsu/2025/06/26/austin-peay-united-athletic-conference-atlantic-sun-wac-2026/84368856007/
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Publish date : 2025-06-26 15:35:00
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