Football
Texas State University will officially become the Pac-12 Conference’s flagship program in Texas when it officially joins on July 1, 2026, completing a remarkable transformation backed by $149 million in facility investments.
The unanimous approval by the Pac-12 Board of Directors positions the Bobcats as the conference’s crucial eighth football-playing member. This ensures FBS status for the rebuilt league while establishing Texas State as a rising national power after consecutive bowl victories and record-breaking attendance.
Football Texas State to Anchor the Pac-12 in Texas, Becomes 8th Football Member
Texas State’s financial commitment includes the recently completed $37 million Johnny and Nathali Weisman Football Performance Center, a modern facility designed to enhance operations and athlete performance.
Another $50 million in planned upgrades will fund future performance spaces and athlete revenue-sharing efforts across multiple sports, reflecting the program’s ambitious vision for competing at the highest level.
OFFICIAL: The new Pac-12 just got bigger. ????#TXST x #BackThePac pic.twitter.com/C4j1mLErx8
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) June 30, 2025
“This is a new day in college sports,” Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould said. “We are extremely excited to welcome Texas State as a foundational member of the new Pac-12.”
President Kelly Damphousse emphasized the competitive mindset driving the transition. “We are not joining the Pac-12 to simply participate; we are joining to compete, contribute, and win championships,” Damphousse said.
“The Pac-12 has a proud and storied tradition of excellence, and TXST is honored to be a foundational member university helping to write the next chapter.”
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Texas State Athletics achieved its highest-ever Academic Progress Rate with a score of 995 out of 1,000, demonstrating the program’s commitment to student-athlete success. Nine teams earned perfect scores, and all programs posted at least 980, surpassing NCAA benchmarks by significant margins.
Director of Athletics Don Coryell called the move “an incredible opportunity to elevate our programs, compete at the highest level, and pursue excellence on a national stage.”
“As the Pac-12’s flagship school in Texas, we proudly embrace the opportunity and responsibility that comes with it,” Coryell added, highlighting the strategic importance of the university’s location between Austin and San Antonio.
Bobcats’ On-Field Success Drove Conference Realignment
The Bobcats’ performance metrics validate their readiness for Power Conference competition. In 2024, Texas State ranked second among new Pac-12 entrants, trailing only Boise State, according to SportSource Analytics (46th), FPI (62nd), and SP+ (48th).
Over the past two seasons, Texas State is the only FBS team to rank in the top 25 in both rushing (15th, 197.9 yards per game) and passing (25th, 269.8 yards per game). The program’s balanced offensive attack has produced 36.6 points per game, ranking eighth nationally during that span.
Under head coach GJ Kinne’s leadership, the Bobcats captured their first bowl victories in program history, winning the First Responder Bowl in both 2023 and 2024. These triumphs coincided with consecutive years of record-setting attendance, including a 25 percent increase in 2024, as San Marcos embraced its emerging football powerhouse.
The momentum extends beyond the gridiron. Texas State’s comprehensive athletic success, combined with its strategic location in one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions, positions the university to maximize the opportunities that Pac-12 membership provides.
With enhanced media exposure, increased revenue potential, and elevated recruiting capabilities, the Bobcats are poised to compete for championships while establishing themselves as the conference’s only team in the “Lone Star State,” a location highly sought after in TV markets.
In addition to Texas State, over the next few years, the Pac-12 is expanding to include Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, Gonzaga (basketball only), San Diego State, and Utah State.
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