Texas State not leaving Sun Belt ‘at this time’

Texas State is not leaving the Sun Belt Conference “at this time,” according to a statement issued by the school late Tuesday.

The Bobcats had been contemplating a move to the Mountain West, according to multiple reports. The school acknowledged “preliminary discussions with an interested conference,” but elected not to make a move.

Here’s the full statement:

Texas State is the furthest west member of and only Texas school in the Sun Belt Conference, which includes South Alabama and Troy. However, Texas State is closer geographically to Sun Belt schools such as Louisiana and Louisiana-Monroe than it is to UTEP or New Mexico (and also in the same time zone).

The Mountain West is losing five schools — Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State — to the newly reconfigured Pac-12 beginning with the 2026-27 athletic year, leaving it with just seven all-sports members. UTEP announced Tuesday it would leave Conference USA for the Mountain West, which needs one more school for its champion to qualify for consideration for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Where the Mountain West might turn now is unclear. One possible target is New Mexico State, now a member of Conference USA and a natural rival to both UTEP and longtime Mountain West member New Mexico.