Texas State is set to join the Pac-12 Conference on July 1, 2026, the school and league announced in a joint statement on Monday. The move gives the league the eight required football-playing members to continue as an FBS conference. For Texas State, it continues an upward trajectory that started when the program transitioned from the FCS in 2012.
The Bobcats make the move just ahead of a July 1 deadline, when the buyout to leave the Sun Belt would have doubled from $5 million to $10 million. The university system held a special Board of Regents meeting on Monday to authorize the buyout and clear the way to join the Pac-12.
Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, San Diego State and Utah State are set to join Oregon State and Washington State as full members in 2026. Basketball powerhouse Gonzaga is also joining as a non-football member.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Texas State as a foundational member of the new Pac-12,” said Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould in a statement. “It is a new day in college sports and the most opportune time to launch a new league that is positioned to succeed in today’s landscape with student-athletes in mind.”
Texas State was a power at the Division II level before moving up to I-AA in the 1980s, winning a pair of national titles under legendary coach Jim Wacker. Dennis Franchione helped transition the Bobcats to the FBS level. After just one year in the WAC, the program landed in a resurgent Sun Belt in 2013.
Until current coach G.J. Kinne arrived in 2023, though, the Bobcats posted eight straight losing seasons and zero bowl appearances. In two years, Kinne has notched 16 wins and consecutive First Responder Bowl victories in the past two years.
“This is a historic moment for Texas…
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Author : Shehan Jeyarajah
Publish date : 2025-06-30 17:04:00
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