The conference carousel is still spinning.
The Sun Belt said Wednesday that Texas State will join the league in July 2013 and begin conference play for the 2013-14 academic year.
Texas State is going into its first season at the Football Bowl Subdivision level in 2012, when coach Dennis Franchione will lead the Bobcats into what will be their only WAC season. The school has 16 varsity programs.
“There was energy and excitement,” said Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson, who attended a press conference announcing the move. “Truly a very, very successful launch.”
Texas State joins current Sun Belt Conference members Arkansas State, Arkansas-Little Rock, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, UL-Lafayette, UL-Monroe, Middle Tennessee, North Texas, South Alabama, Troy and Western Kentucky.
Benson, who used to be the WAC commissioner, says there may be more changes coming for the Sun Belt. With New Mexico State set to join as well, and other WAC members headed to the Mountain West and Conference USA, the WAC may cease to exist after this season. Quite a fall from the brief glory of the WAC-16, which I still think could have been a great conference if it had been given a chance. Ah well, the road not taken and all that. As with UTSA, I wish Texas State well. I think they have a bright future.