The Southland Conference Is Falling Apart

Yesterday, four schools jumped ship and left the Southland Conference for the reformed Western Athletic Conference.

The WAC hasn't played football since 2012, and they're looking to get by to FBS play. Four Texas schools decided to leave the Southland and take their chances of moving up to the next level of collegiate football play. Sam Houston State, Abilene Christian, Lamar, and Stephen F. Austin made the official announcement yesterday at NRG Stadium in Houston.

But that's not all. Central Arkansas is also contemplating a move to the Atlantic Sun Conference.

Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett had this to say:

Throughout 2020, some Southland Conference member institutions have actively considered opportunities elsewhere, and that will lead to league realignment in the coming year. We fully understand the value they bring to another association, and we wish them success and more of the accolades they realized during their long-standing membership here.

With so many teams leaving, it makes you wonder what is going on behind closed doors with the Southland Conference. Obviously, there's trouble in paradise.

McNeese President Daryl Burckel said McNeese is currently happy with being a member of the Southland Conference and had this to say about recruiting future conference members:

We have to bring in schools that play football, but we have to bring in the right institutions that will allow our league to grow and want to be a part of our building.

There is also talk with the Southland Conference big wigs about rebranding and possibly renaming the league.

For now, the conference has their eyes on up-and-coming Div II teams that want to move up and other FCS teams that want to join their league. There's no clear timetable, but league officials hope to make a big announcement soon on the expansion of the Southland Conference.