Utah State Defends Decision To Exit Mountain West, Join Pac-12

Sep 25, 2024, 3:16 PM | Updated: 4:26 pm

Utah State football head coach Bronco Mendenhall discusses the Aggies' season-opener on KSL Sports Zone. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

BY BRIAN PREECE

Digital Sports Producer

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah State Aggies are the newest member of the once proud Pac-12, leaving behind the Mountain West to begin the 2026-27 academic year.

USU’s Director of Athletics Diana Sabau spoke with Hans and Scotty G. on KSL Sports Zone about the Aggies’ decision to leave the MW.

“I made a commitment when I came here that we would keep reaching and rising,” USU Director of Athletics Diana Sabau explained. “That we would continue to elevate Utah State athletics; that we would future-proof our athletics department in alignment with President Cantwell and our university. I think we’ve just absolutely done that with the Pac-12 new conference opportunity.”

RELATED: Utah State University Officially Joins Pac-12 Conference

Reach and Rise!

Excited for Utah State’s future academic and athletic achievements. Thank you to all who have built our Aggie legacy. Coming Fall of 2026🤘🏻💙‼️

Thanks @pac12 … Let’s GO! pic.twitter.com/wHtgLR3bFh

— Diana Sabau (@UtahState_AD) September 25, 2024

To leave the Mountain West, Utah State must pay more than $17 million in exit fees to its former conference.

“This opportunity does come with a financial load, and it’s a heavy load,” Sabau stated. “But, it absolutely ensures our future as an institution and athletics department… We’ve had overwhelming support from the individuals who have reached out. Both here in Logan and Cache Valley, the Wasatch Front, really the entire state.”

Utah State will remain in the MW through the 2025-26 season. It joined the conference alongside San Jose State in December 2013.

RELATED: Pac-12 Sues Mountain West, Filing Indicates Utah State’s Intentions

“This will be a period of transition that won’t necessarily be a vacation or easy,” Sabau cautioned. “We’re going to have to do a lot of heavy lifting, and we’re going to have to ask those who have contributed in the past to help us formulate and shape our future. It’s really exciting, and I think this energizes a lot of Aggie nation.”

The Pac-12 has officially announced Utah State as its 7th member starting in 2026. pic.twitter.com/eqSQyrzy3P

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 25, 2024

Sabau credited school president Elizabeth R. Cantwell with supporting the decision-making process.

“I want to thank President Cantwell because it is her ultimate decision as the president of the University,” Sabau continued. “President Cantwell made the ultimate decision, and for both of us, it was making sure that our student-athletes would be able to compete on the best state with the best opponent. That they would be in a conference e that was nationally respected and achieved a high following.”

Future Pac-12 Expansion

The Pac-12 has recently admitted Colorado State, Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and the Aggies. All five programs will play in the Mountain West through the 2025-26 academic year. Pac-12 membership begins in the summer of 2026.

Add in current Pac-2 members Oregon State and Washington State; the conference is one member shy of FBS recognition in 2026. The need for eight members to reach NCAA conference recognition standards keeps the door open for additional realignment, including conversations with schools like Gonzaga and UConn as potential non-football members of the league.

RELATED: Differing Reports Surface On Potential Gonzaga Move To Pac-12 Conference

“You can tell by the membership that there is a very heavy basketball success story to be told and narrative that really shines bright,” Sabau remarked. “Whatever conference Utah State goes to, history proves that Utah State wins. We have a tremendous athletics legacy.”

The Aggie’s strong tradition of basketball success has long been a selling point for the school, and Sabau sees no reason for that to change in the Pac-12 or anywhere USU may end up.

“I’m actually really excited for our game day experience and The Hurd to be seen more nationally,” Sabau said enthusiastically. “We will be a very strong basketball conference as the Pac-12 continues to shore up and finalize its membership.”