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The fall news cycle in college sports had included a lot of chatter about conference realignment both official and rumored. Oklahoma and Texas’ decision to ultimately join the SEC led to a cascading effect that majorly affected the Big 12, American, Conference USA, and the Sun Belt Conference, as well as a number of other leagues and teams to a smaller degree.
Earlier this fall, In the Circle podcast host Eric Lopez collected the thoughts of the head softball coaches at BYU, Houston, and UCF – the three newest members of the Big 12 – about their move. Now, exclusively for Extra Inning Softball, Lopez spoke to the majority of the affected coaches in the C-USA –> American & Sun Belt pipeline, as well as one coach whose program will join the new-look Conference USA.
See the thoughts from each coach below.
North Texas head coach Rodney DeLong
Moving from C-USA to American
“The AAC is a multi-bid league, which is important to us. The teams coming from our conference will help the depth in that league, and it’s a better revenue league, so it’s definitely a positive for us. It’s the closest thing to Power 5, and we’re really excited for the opportunity. The logo also helps with recruiting. There are some great teams we’ll compete against, and the travel’s fun, so I imagine a lot of prospects will enjoy playing in it.”
Florida Atlantic head coach Joan Joyce
Moving from C-USA to American
“This is a huge step for our athletics department and our softball program. The American Athletic Conference has been very competitive, sending three or four softball teams to the regionals the last few years. We are looking forward to this next adventure for our program, and we are looking forward to continuing our tradition of playing some of the country’s best softball programs.”
Charlotte head coach Ashley Chastain
Moving from C-USA to American
We are honored and thrilled about the move into the American Athletic Conference. It was a pivotal day for Charlotte Softball. This is a game changing opportunity for our entire university and all of our athletic programs here at Charlotte. The American is an extremely respected softball conference and will raise the ceiling for our recruiting and facilities. We look forward to the challenge ahead over the next few years as we prepare to compete in the American. We are thankful to Conference USA for all its given to our program and athletic department. I am personally so grateful to our administration who worked tirelessly to help make this happen for us.”
UAB head coach Joe Guthrie
Moving from C-USA to American
“UAB Softball is extremely grateful for the opportunity to compete for AAC Softball championships in the future. We thank the efforts of Dr. Watts, Mark Ingram, Dan Carlson, Bryant Carter and the thousands of other UAB staff and supporters for making this exciting occasion happen. Go Blazers!”
Southern Miss head coach Brian Levin
Moving from C-USA to Sun Belt
“It is an exciting day for Southern Miss athletics! The move to the Sun Belt is huge for the softball program. The conference had four teams participate in the NCAA tournament last year. The realization that we are now in a legitimate multi-bid conference gives our student-athletes a greater opportunity to be a part of a NCAA tournament experience. There is no question that the Sun Belt is one of the best softball conferences in the country. We are so grateful to President Bennett, Jeremy McClain and the executive staff for the work they did to make this happen. SMTTT!!!
James Madison head coach Loren LaPorte
Moving from CAA to Sun Belt
“Overall, it’s great for our university. It’s a big move for us [and] I think we’re all excited as an athletic department and as a university. The Sun Belt Conference in softball is very, very strong so that’s also exciting… I think it is a wonderful move and this place is electric and excited right now.”
Marshall head coach Megan Smith
Moving from C-USA to Sun Belt
“Everyone here at Marshall is just really, really excited to move to the Sun Belt. Selfishly speaking about just softball, what an awesome softball conference. Them adding James Madison as well, that’s huge. That makes the Sun Belt – to me – the premier non-Power 5 conference for softball. It’s exciting to be part of that. Our whole university and athletic department, everyone is excited about competing in the Sun Belt and having some good regional rivalries that you kind of missed in Conference USA.”
Sam Houston State head coach Garrett Valis
Moving from WAC to C-USA
“The announcement is extremely exciting and positive for our University, athletic department, and our program. We love to compete and look forward to continuing that with the future move to C-USA. We feel there are a lot of positives to being a member of this athletic department as an employee and for our athletes, this historic move is an additional bright spot to being a part of the Bearkat family.”