Sun Belt Conference Set for Change in 2026 as Texas State Departs, Louisiana Tech Joins

New Orleans, La. (BuzzReport) — The Sun Belt Conference will undergo a notable shift in its membership beginning with the 2026 season, as Texas State prepares to depart for the reconstituted Pac-12 and Louisiana Tech moves in from Conference USA, reshaping the league’s competitive and geographic landscape.

Texas State’s exit marks the end of a relatively short but impactful tenure in the Sun Belt. The Bobcats joined the conference in 2013 after transitioning to the FBS level and quickly became an established presence across multiple sports. The move to the new Pac-12 represents a significant step up in national exposure and financial opportunity for the San Marcos-based institution, aligning it with a conference seeking to rebuild its identity following recent realignment turbulence.

Founded in 1899, Texas State has steadily grown from a regional teachers college into one of the largest universities in Texas. Athletically, the Bobcats have experienced incremental success at the Division I level. In football, Texas State spent much of the 2010s working to find consistent footing, but the program showed measurable progress in the early 2020s, culminating in bowl appearances that elevated its profile within the Sun Belt.

On the basketball court, Texas State has been a regular contender in Sun Belt play, particularly on the men’s side, earning multiple postseason berths in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) and National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The baseball program has long been a bright spot, with a history of conference championships that predates Sun Belt membership and a reputation for producing professional-level talent.

Replacing Texas State will be Louisiana Tech, a program with deep roots and a long-standing athletic tradition. Founded in 1894, Louisiana Tech has competed at the highest levels of college athletics for decades and brings with it a resume that aligns well with the Sun Belt’s competitive ambitions.

Louisiana Tech’s football program is the cornerstone of its athletic identity. The Bulldogs have enjoyed sustained success since moving to the FBS level in the 1970s, including multiple conference championships across the Southland, Big West, WAC, and Conference USA. The program has produced several NFL players and gained national recognition during standout seasons in the 1980s and 2010s, particularly under head coach Skip Holtz, when Louisiana Tech became a regular bowl participant.

In basketball, Louisiana Tech boasts one of the more accomplished histories among mid-major programs. The men’s team reached the NCAA Tournament multiple times between the 1980s and early 2000s, while the women’s program rose to national prominence in the 1980s, capturing a Final Four appearance and multiple top-10 rankings. Those successes helped establish the Bulldogs as a respected name on the hardwood.

Baseball has also been a consistent strength for Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs have made several NCAA Tournament appearances and are widely regarded for strong player development and competitive scheduling, attributes that should translate well within the Sun Belt’s increasingly strong baseball profile.

For the Sun Belt Conference, the swap represents both continuity and evolution. While Texas State’s departure removes a growing program from a talent-rich state, Louisiana Tech’s arrival restores a historic regional rival and reinforces the league’s footprint in Louisiana and the broader Southeast.

As conference realignment continues to redefine the college sports landscape, the Sun Belt’s ability to adapt — balancing tradition with opportunity — will once again be on display when Louisiana Tech officially takes its place in 2026 and Texas State begins a new chapter on the national stage.