The Pac-12 Conference, traditionally a powerhouse in college football, is set to enhance its basketball profile significantly with the addition of Gonzaga, one of the West Coast’s perennial basketball powers. The conference and Gonzaga announced the move Tuesday, concluding years of conversations and negotiations as the Zags sought to leverage their basketball success and strong brand.
“I think what we’re able to bring to this conference is an enhancement to a basketball opportunity for them, but also what we got in return is a commitment that this conference really cares about basketball,” Gonzaga athletic director Chris Standiford stated. “It’s an opportunity for us to have an impact on them and be an important partner in who they are and what they do.”
In a busy day of college sports realignment, the Mountain West secured its future by adding UTEP. Gonzaga, having been a member of the West Coast Conference for more than 40 years for the majority of which it dominated, will transition to the Pac-12 starting July 1, 2026. This marks a significant shift for a conference primarily centered around football, promising a strong showing on basketball courts in upcoming seasons.
Gonzaga will become the eighth member of the restructured Pac-12, joining holdovers Washington State and Oregon State, and new members Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Utah State, and Colorado State from the Mountain West. Notably, Gonzaga will be the only private college in the Pac-12 to date.
“Today represents an exciting milestone for the Pac-12 as we welcome another outstanding institution with a rich history of success into our league,” Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould proclaimed. However, the addition of Gonzaga highlights the ongoing quest for the Pac-12 to secure another football-playing member for College Football Playoff purposes, as Gonzaga does not have a football program.
“Gonzaga is truly viewed as an equal partner in the work of governing the Pac-12 moving forward, and that’s important to us because we do want to play a role in helping to realize the vision and to shape the direction of the conference,” Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh emphasized.
Both the Pac-12 and the Mountain West have been scrambling to secure their futures outside the Power Four of college sports, but Gonzaga’s addition gives the Pac-12 a marked basketball advantage. Last year, Washington State, Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Utah State, and Gonzaga all made it to the NCAA Tournament, with San Diego State reaching the national championship game two seasons ago.
Standiford mentioned that discussions with the Pac-12 progressed earnestly last weekend, and Gonzaga applied for membership on Monday night. The application was approved unanimously. While Standiford did not dive into financial specifics, he assured that “this is a better situation for us financially without question,” highlighting the expanded investment potential in student-athletes and enhancing their overall experience.
The Pac-12 started its 2026 relaunch efforts last month by adding five schools from the Mountain West, joining Washington State and Oregon State—the only Pac-12 schools remaining after a dramatic realignment this summer. Gonzaga has consistently thrived in the WCC, reaching the NCAA Tournament every year since 1998, boasting two Final Four appearances, and achieving at least 30 victories in eight seasons.
In the past, Gonzaga explored conference affiliations with the Big East and discussed joining the Big 12, especially after UConn was added to the latter’s strong basketball lineup earlier this year. The Zags have also cemented their status as a perennial tournament team in women’s basketball.
Simultaneously, the Mountain West is still in search of an additional football-playing member even after securing UTEP. The Miners will transition from Conference USA beginning in 2026.
Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez remarked, “The addition of UTEP restores historic rivalries with several of our member institutions within the geographic footprint and provides valuable exposure in the great state of Texas. We welcome and look forward to competing against the student-athletes of UTEP.”
UTEP, a Western Athletic Conference member for nearly 40 years before joining C-USA in 2005, will rekindle old rivalries with schools like Nevada, San Jose State, New Mexico, and Wyoming in the Mountain West.
UTEP President Heather Wilson expressed, “There’s no doubt this will be better for our student-athletes, our fans, and for El Paso. We look forward to rekindling former rivalries and welcoming teams and their fans to El Paso.”
Meanwhile, Texas State athletic director Don Coryell confirmed Tuesday night that the school would remain in the Sun Belt Conference “after preliminary discussions with an interested conference,” which multiple media outlets confirmed was the Mountain West.
