BYU’S SHOCKING CONFERENCE MOVE: Cougars Announce Plans to Leave the WAC and Join a Power Conference, Sending Shockwaves Through College Football, Leaving Fans and Alumni Scrambling to Understand the Implications
In a groundbreaking move that has stunned the college football world, Brigham Young University (BYU) announced its official departure from the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) to join a major Power Five conference. The Cougars’ decision, long speculated but never confirmed until now, marks a seismic shift not only for BYU athletics but for the broader landscape of collegiate sports.
At a press conference held on campus, BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe revealed that the university has accepted an invitation to join the Big 12 Conference, a development that immediately sent shockwaves throughout the nation. “This is a transformative day for BYU,” Holmoe said. “Joining a Power Conference represents a new era of opportunity, competition, and growth—not only for football but for all our student-athletes.”
The move comes after months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, as the Big 12, seeking to bolster its competitive and geographic profile, targeted BYU for its strong national fan base, historic football tradition, and academic prestige. The Cougars will officially leave the WAC at the end of this academic year and begin competing in the Big 12 starting next season.
For BYU, this transition is about more than just football—it’s about visibility, recruitment, and revenue. As a school with a massive following—particularly among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—BYU brings with it a unique brand that stretches coast to coast. This expansive reach makes the Cougars an attractive addition for television partners and corporate sponsors eager to tap into new markets.
However, the news hasn’t been received without mixed emotions. The WAC, once a competitive football conference in its own right, has seen its profile diminish in recent decades. BYU’s departure is seen by some as the final blow to a conference that has struggled to retain top-tier programs. WAC Commissioner Brian Thornton issued a statement expressing disappointment, saying, “While we wish BYU the best, this is a significant loss for our conference. Their contributions over the years have been invaluable.”
Fans and alumni are equally divided. Social media exploded with reactions ranging from enthusiastic celebration to concern over what this means for the school’s long-standing rivalries and travel commitments. “I’m excited for the exposure,” one fan tweeted, “but I’ll miss those classic WAC matchups that defined my college years.”
Coaches and players, meanwhile, are already gearing up for the challenge. Head football coach Kalani Sitake emphasized the level of competition they’re preparing for: “We’re going to be facing some of the best programs in the country week in and week out. This is exactly the kind of stage we’ve been working toward.”
As college football continues to evolve into a billion-dollar industry shaped by media deals and superconferences, BYU’s bold leap into the Power Five conversation is both strategic and symbolic. It signals not just a new chapter for Cougar athletics but also a redefinition of what the future of college sports might look like.
One thing is clear: BYU has made its play—and the rest of college football is watching.