Oct 10, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; New Mexico State Aggies quarterback Nick Jeanty (12) hands the ball off to running back Larry Rose III (3) during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Photo Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
The Sun Belt Conference is dropping Idaho and New Mexico State after the 2017 football season, the league announced Tuesday.
The move will leave the conference with 10 football-playing members in 2018.
Idaho and New Mexico State were the western-most members of the conference.
“This was a strategic decision that was reached following a thorough and complete review of our options,” Texas State president Denise Trauth, who is also the Sun Belt president, said in a statement. “The Sun Belt’s presidents and chancellors strongly believe it is in the best interest of the conference to have a core membership of 10 football teams that are geographically located within the ‘footprint’ of the conference and that these 10 members also compete in all conference sports.
“This decision, along with the full 12-team membership that goes into place for the 2016-17 season with the addition of Coastal Carolina University, will reduce travel demands and missed class time for all Sun Belt student-athletes — while also furthering the development of regional rivalries within the conference.”
Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson said on a conference call that the recent decision by the NCAA to remove a 12-team minimum requirement for holding a conference championship game was a major factor in dismissing the two schools.
Idaho and New Mexico State rejoined the league as football-only members in 2014 after a 10-year absence.
Idaho competes in the Big Sky in other sports and New Mexico State plays in the Western Athletic Conference.
Idaho might consider dropping to the Football Championship Subdivision as opposed to being a major-college independent.
“We are disappointed in the Sun Belt’s decision,” Idaho president Chuck Staben said in a statement. “But we are optimistic about the options before us and we are continuing to diligently consider our future affiliation as an opportunity to find the stability and full participation we have not experienced in the Sun Belt. We will make a decision in the coming months.”
Coastal Carolina begins play in the Sun Belt this season.
