Louisiana Tech joined the Sun Belt Conference after Texas State left for the Pac-12. The SBC will feature 14 football programs, including the new addition of Louisiana Tech and the current members of App State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, James Madison, Louisiana, Marshall, Old Dominion, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Troy and our very own ULM. 

The SBC will continue to utilize a divisional structure. The East consists of App State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, James Madison and Old Dominion. The West Division comprises Arkansas State, Louisiana, ULM, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Troy and Louisiana Tech. This means that members of the conference will play six divisional games annually and two cross-divisional matchups. 

With the addition of Louisiana Tech, the SBC has geographically reunited at least two long-standing rivalries, including the 30-minute drive to ULM and another short drive to UL. 

As a member of the SBC from 1991-2001, Louisiana Tech saw success in a wide range of sports, including the women’s basketball team winning nine-straight Sun Belt regular season titles from 1993-2001 and seven conference tournament titles. The men’s basketball team won two regular-season titles, while men’s indoor, women’s indoor, and women’s outdoor track and field programs each won a conference title in 1999, 2000 and 1999 respectively. 

“The Sun Belt has remained steadfast in its commitment to regional rivalries, geographic alignment and competitive excellence,” Georgia Southern and Sun Belt Board of Directors President Kyle Marrero said. “When it came time to add a new member to the Sun Belt Conference, it became clear that Louisiana Tech was the right fit. This addition renews long-standing rivalries, enhances our divisional structure, strengthens the competitive profile of the league across multiple sports and eases travel for fans and teams. We’re excited to welcome the Bulldogs to the Sun Belt.”