Western Kentucky sources have denied reports that WKU is soon to join Conference USA and fill the void reportedly left by Tulsa. Specifically, officials told SB Nation that none of its coaches have informed players that WKU would be leaving the Sun Belt following the 2013-‘14 season, as was reported by WBKO’s Jeff Woods.
Western Kentucky denies C-USA reports, but Sun Belt eying JMU anyway
Will Tulsa’s reported move to the Big East set off a chain reaction?
A source at WKU also stated that the university has not engaged in any current communications regarding a move out of the Sun Belt, and has not been offered an invitation to C-USA at this time, confirming a report by the Bowling Green Daily News’ Chad Bishop.
ESPN reported Tulsa will leave C-USA for the Big East, but that’s yet to officially happen.
Additionally, an announcement on the pending invitation of New Mexico State and Idaho as football-only members of the Sun Belt could arrive as early as Wednesday evening.
As first reported by SB Nation on Monday, the Sun Belt announced the addition of FCS program Georgia Southern on Wednesday. It will also announce Appalachian State later on. With the pending additions of former WAC members Idaho and New Mexico State, the conference will expand to 12 football schools in order to create two six-team divisions and a conference championship game.
One source told SB Nation that the Sun Belt plans to extend additional invites pending any additional departures from the league. Over the last year, the Sun Belt has lost four schools - North Texas, Florida Atlantic, Florida International and Middle Tennessee State - to Conference USA.
A Sun Belt source told SB Nation’s Jason Kirk that, in the event of a program’s exit, FCS member James Madison will be offered. SB Nation reported in February that JMU has been considered by the Sun Belt, along with a host of other schools. JMU’s athletic director said Tuesday that its program is “actively engaged in a strategic planning process.”
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