Mountain West Coaches Navigate Transition and Uncertainty Ahead of Conference Realignment

Mountain West Coaches Confront Uncertainty Amid Conference Changes

In a gathering marked by an undercurrent of change, Mountain West coaches addressed the looming impact of intraconference transfers during a recent meeting in Las Vegas. New Utah State head coach Bronco Mendenhall prompted a moment of pause when he expressed his hesitance to vote on a relevant issue, pointing out that his team, along with four others, is set to leave the conference at the end of the season. Mendenhall stated, “I don’t think I should vote on this,” emphasizing his awareness of the transitional atmosphere.

This sentiment resonated with other coaches. Mendenhall added, “It was like there was an elephant in the room and no one was saying what it was, so it just felt like someone had to say it. So I did.” The meeting on Wednesday hinted at the complex emotions swirling around the pending departures as the coaches prepared for what is anticipated to be a historic season amidst a backdrop of upheaval.

Upcoming Departures and Alterations

At the culmination of this season, the Mountain West will bid farewell to Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State, all making the transition to the Pac-12. This shift will see the Mountain West welcomed by two new teams, Northern Illinois and UTEP joining the ranks as they aim to maintain competitive football participation.

Adding to the tension, the conferences remain embroiled in legal disputes over exit fees. Recent developments escalated last week as Grand Canyon University was introduced as a non-football member for the 2025-26 academic year, an action that took place sooner than expected and against the preferences of the departing teams, which have forfeited their voting rights after providing notice of their exit.

Coaching Perspectives

Despite these challenges, the atmosphere among the coaches at Circa Resort & Casino seemed relatively stable. Wyoming coach Jay Sawvell commented, “As far as the coaches, nothing’s really any different. It’s not like I’m going to suddenly dislike (San Diego State’s) Sean Lewis or Bronco. Bronco’s great. From a coaches’ standpoint, there’s really nothing different.”

Sean Lewis, formerly with Colorado, echoed these sentiments, sharing that there is a “great fellowship amongst all the coaches and everyone within the league,” as they look to foster a successful and enjoyable season ahead. He added, “It’s a nice time of year right now. We’re all 0-0 and the competition is still a little bit off, so we’re still handshakes and smiles and we’re all friends right now. Give us about a month and we’ll be yelling across the sideline from one another.”

The Reality of Change

While camaraderie is evident among the coaches, they are not oblivious to the unfolding changes, as seen in Mendenhall’s insistence on discussing the vote. Most coaches, many of whom are relatively new to their positions, recognize that such decisions stemmed from higher administrative levels rather than their own strategies.

San Jose State coach Ken Niumatalolo noted, “It’s a little different. But we’ve got good dudes in this conference, so it hasn’t been too big an issue.” The shifting landscape of the Mountain West continues to shape the dynamics of the conference, leaving coaches determined to focus on the upcoming season while navigating the complexities of the impending changes.