ANALYSIS: McNeese keeps watchful eye on conference movements

Published 5:21 pm Sunday, October 31, 2021

As rumors and reports continue to swirl throughout college football, all remains quiet at McNeese State, sort of.

While there is no official word about the Cowboys’ future conference home, or if they are for sure changing leagues, sources have told the American Press that decisions are expected sooner rather than later.

“It has been a wild week that is for sure,” Mc-Neese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer said. “I would expect this coming week will be just as wild. There are a lot of things happening all over the country and we are doing our best to stay on top of it all.”

Behind the scenes, Schroyer said he remains aggressive when it comes to keeping all options open.

“You have to keep working,” he said. “You don’t want to be surprised by anything.”

Last week New Mexico State announced it was moving from the Western Athletic Conference to Conference USA. That came after C-USA lost six teams to the American Athletic Conference and two more to the Sun Belt.

That seemed to open a new path for the Cowboys, who are looking for a way to eventually jump from the Football Championship Subdivision to the higher Football Bowl Subdivision. Schroyer has said the ultimate goal is to “do what is in the best interest of McNeese in the present and in the future.”

The Cowboys have had chances in the past to move into college football’s top tier, but previous administrations stood pat as Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana Tech and Louisiana-Monroe have jumped up. That has helped give them a leg up when it comes to recruiting and television exposure.

ULL has used the extra money which came with the move to upgrade its facilities over the years.

Ironically, McNeese could be seen as a better investment for future leagues thanks to upgrades that are slowly continuing in their facilities because of hurricane damage. The $45 million, 145,000-square-foot basketball arena that seats 3,800, opened in 2018 but will be upgraded, the 17,410-seat football stadium will get a new lighting system and press box, with added suites.

Schroyer said one of the things leagues look at is the facilities and the willingness of schools to invest in those facilities.

C-USA has reportedly reached out to both Liberty and Connecticut (football only), but neither has signed on. C-USA officials have said they would like to fill first with current FBS teams.

If McNeese were to join C-USA, it would once again be in the same league with Louisiana Tech and likely serve as its travel partner.

Sam Houston State, a former SLC foe of the Cowboys, is also reported to be looking for the move up and has been in talks with C-USA officials. SHSU was one of five SLC teams that left for the FCS league after last spring’s athletic season ended, heading to the WAC in belief that would be a path to the FBS in the near future.

The WAC could be an option for the Cowboys. McNeese, along with Incarnate Word, another SLC team, have made pitches to the WAC. Sources have said with New Mexico State out of the WAC, the Cowboys and Cardinals could receive invitations.

In an email to the American Press, WAC Commissioner Jeff Hurd said the conference’s board would be conducting meetings this week and some of the discussions will be regarding the conference’s future in regards to realignment. Whether a decision is made regarding membership is uncertain, he said in the email.

Hurd’s email came as last week’s scramble for teams by conferences came to a close and a new one gets set to open.

Adding to the interest was news Friday that Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee could also jump ship from C-USA and head to the Mid-American Conference. The MAC had been quiet up to that point.

That could leave C-USA and its Commissioner Judy MacLeod desperate for teams. Not long ago C-USA was perhaps the best of the non-power five leagues.

“We have a strong core of members to build around and are continuing to work to strengthen our league as we move forward,” MacLeod said in a statement. “There are several institutions interested in joining Conference USA, both across FBS and FCS, some of whom we’ve already met with in person. Every step we take will be deliberate, strategically sound, and intentional.”

All this could be music to the ears of Schroyer, who has the Cowboys being talked about, but not yet on the move.