Inside the Rebuild: What Will the New Pac-12 Look Like?

The Pac-12 Conference added another piece to its rebuilding effort Sunday, announcing Texas State University as a full member of the newly structured league beginning with the 2026–27 academic year.

Texas State becomes the ninth foundational program in the new-look Pac-12, joining Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Oregon State, San Diego State, Utah State, and Washington State. 

The conference’s formal relaunch is set for July 1, 2026, with each institution participating in all league-sponsored sports.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Texas State as a foundational member of the new Pac-12,” Commissioner Teresa Gould said in a statement. “It is a new day in college sports and the most opportune time to launch a new league that is positioned to succeed in today’s landscape with student-athletes in mind. Under great leadership from Dr. Kelly Damphousse, Don Coryell and excellent head coaches, Texas State has shown a commitment to competing and winning at the highest level as well as to providing student-athletes with a well-rounded college experience academically, athletically and socially. We look forward to seeing the Bobcats’ future trajectory continue to shine big and bright.”

For decades, the conference was home to national powers like USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Stanford, producing Heisman winners, Final Four runs, and dominant Olympic athletes. 

That legacy unraveled in 2024, when 10 of its 12 members departed amid a wave of conference realignment, driven by television revenue and playoff access. 

Left with just Oregon State and Washington State, the Pac-12 entered a rebuilding phase—fighting to preserve its name, identity, and competitive relevance.