October 7, 2024 |
Photo – Mountain West Conference logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Mountain West Conference scored a big pick-up at the end of last week. The University of Texas El Paso—will leave Conference USA and join the Mountain West in July 0f 2026.
Picking up UTEP gives the Mountain West eight members with seven holding full-time status (Hawai’i is a football-only member). The NCAA requires eight full members for a league to be recognized as an FBS conference.
UTEP president Heather Wilson said in a statement, “Joining the Mountain West Conference will bring us back into competition with historic rivals in the west. There’s no doubt this will be better for our student athletes, our fans, and for El Paso.”
UTEP will owe about $2 million to Conference USA in an exit fee. The El Paso, Texas, television market is viewed as a plus for the MW and a decision is expected soon.
The UTEP program won a championship in the WAC in 2000 and last advanced to a bowl game in 2021.
The Miners lost to Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl. UTEP is 0-4 this season under first-year coach Scotty Walden, who was hired from FCS Austin Peay.
The Mountain West remains on the hunt for more football teams to join. Northern Illinois and Toledo are reportedly on the conference’s short list of targets.
