Gonzaga Joins the Rebuilt Pac-12 Conference
Exciting news for basketball fans as powerhouse Gonzaga announces its move to the rebuilt Pac-12 Conference, leaving behind the West Coast Conference where it has dominated for the last quarter-century. The Pac-12, once focused on football, is now gearing up to be a formidable force on the basketball court with Gonzaga joining as the eighth member alongside schools like Washington State, Oregon State, Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Utah State, and Colorado State, all coming over from the Mountain West Conference.
The transition will take place on July 1, 2026, making Gonzaga the Pac-12’s only private college so far. Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould expressed her excitement, stating, “Today represents an exciting milestone for the Pac-12 as we welcome another outstanding institution with a rich history of success into our league.”
While this move enhances the Pac-12’s basketball lineup, the conference still requires another football-playing member for CFP purposes, as Gonzaga does not have a football program. However, success in basketball is undeniable as schools like Washington State, Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Utah State, and Gonzaga all reached the NCAA Tournament in men’s basketball last year, with San Diego State making it to the national championship game two seasons ago.
With talks progressing over the weekend, Gonzaga formalized its application for Pac-12 membership, which was unanimously approved. Gonzaga’s athletic director, Chris Standiford, remarked, “We are excited to join a conference with great tradition and a commitment to innovating during this evolving time in collegiate athletics.”
The Pac-12’s recent restocking efforts set the stage for the 2026 relaunch, securing five schools from the Mountain West to join forces with Washington State and Oregon State. Gonzaga, known for its remarkable success in the NCAA Tournament and strong men’s basketball program, brings a new level of competition to the conference.
Exciting times lie ahead for both Gonzaga and the Pac-12 as they venture into this new chapter of collegiate sports. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops!
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