Mountain West Coaches Navigate Transition Amid Upcoming Departures
LAS VEGAS – As Mountain West coaches gathered for their annual meeting, a delicate situation surrounding intraconference transfers prompted a pause when newly appointed Utah State coach, Bronco Mendenhall, felt compelled to speak up. Just before the scheduled vote on the transfers, he expressed his concerns, stating, “I don’t believe I should participate in this vote.” Mendenhall’s awareness of his team’s impending move, along with four other programs planned for transition to the Pac-12 after this season, led him to prioritize transparency.
“It felt like there was an elephant in the room, and nobody wanted to address it, so I took the initiative,” he noted, suggesting that his sentiments resonated with some of his peers as well. Mendenhall’s comments reflected a broader feeling felt amongst coaches during this year’s Mountain West media days, as the league undergoes significant change.
Conference Changes and Tensions
After the current season, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State will exit the Mountain West to join the Pac-12, resulting in ongoing discussions about exit fees that remain unresolved. The impending shifts have created a backdrop of tension, especially as Grand Canyon University was announced as a new non-football member, moving its inclusion date forward by a year—something that did not sit well with the outgoing institutions.
Despite these pressures, coaches seemed to maintain a sense of camaraderie as they convened at the Circa Resort & Casino for their meeting. “From our perspective, nothing has really changed,” remarked Jay Sawvell, the head coach for Wyoming. “Personal relationships among coaches are intact. I still have respect for everyone on the coaching staff, including Sean Lewis and Bronco.”
Coaching Perspectives
In a similar vein, Sean Lewis, previously Colorado’s offensive coordinator, added, “There’s a great sense of fellowship among coaches. We acknowledge we’re in a strong league, and our goal is to make this season a remarkable one in Mountain West history.”
He further noted the positivity of the current season’s beginnings. “Right now, we’re all in a friendly state as we gear up for competition. Everyone is starting with a clean slate, and it’s a matter of time before we find ourselves in heated matchups that ignite rivalry.”
While the coaches remain somewhat detached from administrative decisions regarding conference transitions—most of whom are relatively new to their positions—there’s a shared understanding of the unique circumstances they find themselves in. As Ken Niumatalolo, head coach of San Jose State put it, “Things feel different, but we have good people in this conference. It hasn’t posed a significant issue thus far.”
Upcoming Changes
The Mountain West will welcome Northern Illinois and UTEP to replace the outgoing teams, though the implications of the departure remain prominent as teams navigate the transition together.
| Outgoing Teams | Destination | New Additions |
|---|---|---|
| Boise State | Pac-12 | Northern Illinois |
| Colorado State | Pac-12 | UTEP |
| Fresno State | Pac-12 | |
| San Diego State | Pac-12 | |
| Utah State | Pac-12 |
As the Mountain West coaches prepare for a new season of competition, the atmosphere remains one of hope and friendship. However, they fully recognize that the nature of conference realignment and its effect on their teams will soon bring new challenges into focus.
