Big changes are unfolding within the Sun Belt Conference as it prepares to welcome Louisiana Tech. This move comes on the heels of Texas State's decision to join the Pac-12 next year, a shift that has sent shockwaves through college athletics.

According to sources familiar with the situation, the Sun Belt's presidents convened on Monday and overwhelmingly voted to invite Louisiana Tech to join their ranks. This addition is set to keep the conference competitive with 14 football programs for the upcoming season, reinforcing its presence in the state with three full members.

Louisiana Tech, which has called Conference USA home since 2013, is set to face a hefty exit fee exceeding $5 million due to the grant of rights agreement tied to the conference's latest television deal.

The rumblings about the Sun Belt's interest in Louisiana Tech began even before Texas State's switch was confirmed. ULM athletic director John Hartwell has been a vocal advocate for bringing La Tech into the fold.

Texas State's departure, announced on July 1, marks a pivotal moment for the Pac-12 as it reinvents itself with new members like Boise State and Fresno State joining Oregon State and Washington State, who remain as the conference's foundational teams. This move shakes up the NCAA landscape, where conference size matters for playoff eligibility.

The ripple effects of recent conference realignments, which kicked off in 2021 with Texas and Oklahoma moving to the SEC, are being felt throughout Conference USA. The conference has undergone a significant reshuffle, now welcoming newcomers like Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, and Sam Houston State.

Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech's departure leaves Conference USA with a core of 10 members committed past 2025, including Liberty, Middle Tennessee, and several others. As the landscape of college football continues to evolve, these strategic moves are crucial for the longevity and competitiveness of these programs.