Mountain West Coaches Face Transition as Conference Prepares to Restructure
LAS VEGAS – As Mountain West coaches gathered for their recent meeting, an unexpected moment of introspection occurred when the newly appointed Utah State head coach, Bronco Mendenhall, suggested a pause before a vote concerning intraconference transfers. Mendenhall, keenly aware that his team is among five programs set to exit the conference after this season, expressed hesitation about participating in the decision-making process.
“I don’t think I should vote on this,” Mendenhall stated, suggesting that it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to weigh in on policies that might not apply to his future team. His comment resonated with others in the room, who nodded in agreement. “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,” he added.
Concerns Amidst Shifting Dynamics
Alongside this moment of clarity, coaches from around the league reiterated the prevailing sentiment among players that the atmosphere during the Mountain West media days remained cordial despite the impending conference changes.
Following this season, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State plan to transition to the Pac-12, creating a substantial shift in the conference landscape. In response, the Mountain West will welcome Northern Illinois and UTEP to its football roster, effectively restructuring its membership.
Litigation and Leadership Challenges
The fallout from these departures includes ongoing litigation related to exit fees. Tensions heightened when Grand Canyon University was announced as a non-football member earlier than expected, further complicating relations among the departing teams who had lost voting rights following their notification of departure.
| Program | New Conference |
|---|---|
| Boise State | Pac-12 |
| Colorado State | Pac-12 |
| Fresno State | Pac-12 |
| San Diego State | Pac-12 |
| Utah State | Pac-12 |
| Northern Illinois | Mountain West |
| UTEP | Mountain West |
Views from the Coaches
During their meeting at Circa Resort & Casino, many coaches expressed a sense of normalcy despite the transitional phase of the conference. Wyoming’s head coach, Jay Sawvell, stated, “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.”
Echoing this sentiment, Sean Lewis, former offensive coordinator for Colorado, pointed out the strong camaraderie among coaches: “There’s great fellowship amongst all the coaches and everyone within the league, and we know that we’re in a tremendous league right now. We all want to make this a historic season for the league.”
However, he also recognized the challenges ahead, stating, “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.”
While the coaches remain committed to their teams and the upcoming season, Mendenhall’s request for a pause highlights the reality of the decisions being made above their heads, with many coaches only in the early stages of their tenures.
“It’s a little different,” San Jose State’s Ken Niumatalolo expressed, acknowledging the unique circumstances. “But we’ve got good dudes in this conference, so it hasn’t been too big an issue.”
