Dodd reported that Conference USA could be looking toward FBS independents like Liberty, UConn and UMass, or FCS programs that may be looking to jump to the FBS level.You can book an online VennMaker workshop at Kronenwett & Adolphs. The future of Conference USA is now severely in doubt. The AAC then added six programs out of Conference USA - Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB and UTSA. The Big 12 responded by poaching UCF, Cincinnati and Houston out of the AAC, as well as independent BYU. This round of realignment started in July when the SEC announced that it is adding Texas and Oklahoma out of the Big 12. It is interesting that the Sun Belt chose to add despite the fact that it hasn't been poached by other conference in the latest realignment wave. The program has five Conference USA football championships under its belt, with the last one coming in 2011. The Eagles were once a nationally-relevant power under head coach Jeff Bower, posting a 21-2 record in conference play from 1996 to 1999. Southern Miss has been a member of Conference USA since the creation of the league in 1995. A move to the Sun Belt - along with the potential rise of James Madison from the FCS ranks - gives the Monarchs significantly more regional partners in the Carolinas and Georgia. Former Penn State offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne took over the program in 2020, but ODU opted not to play football during the pandemic season. The program has struggled since the breakout season, however, posting an 11-32 record since 2017. Bobby Wilder led the program from inception until 2019, posting a 77-56 record between FCS and FBS, including a 10-win season in 2016. The program played football for a brief period in the 1930s, but ultimately folded before restarting a football team at the FCS level in 2009. Old Dominion joined Conference USA as it transitioned to the FBS level during the 2014 football season. "While C-USA has proven to be an excellent home for ODU Athletics during our transition from FCS to FBS, and we thank the C-USA membership and leadership for such an outstanding partnership, the chance to enhance the overall athletic experience for the student-athletes, fans and alumni of ODU in the SBC with regional rivalries represents the perfect opportunity for the continued growth and evolution of ODU athletic programs in our pursuit of national prominence," Old Dominion athletic director Wood Selig said in a statement. The Thundering Herd hired former Alabama associate head coach Charles Huff to lead the program in 2021. Marshall has been a member of Conference USA since 2005, winning three division championships and the 2014 conference crown since joining the league. This is a strong move forward for our university, our athletes and our fans." "Our brand, our athletic programs and our incredible fans earned this opportunity. "Marshall is well positioned for an exciting future in the Sun Belt Conference," President-Elect Smith said in a statement. Former Intuit CEO Brad Smith was announced as Marshall's 38th president on Thursday, clearing the way for the school to make a decision. The Thundering Herd previously noted that they would not make a decision on realignment until hiring a new university president. Marshall has joined Southern Miss and Old Dominion as part of a C-USA exodus, and the three institutions shifting to the Sun Belt join six others that previously announced departures from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference. Marshall has become the third Conference USA institution to join the Sun Belt Conference, the league announced on Saturday.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |