A Farewell Review: Texas States Final Season in the Sun Belt is Complete
Since 2013, the Bobcats have competed in the Sun Belt Conference, and on July 1, 2026, a new era of Texas State University athletics will begin. It is an era that no one thought possible in the Hill Country. Texas State joins the Pac-12 Conference and will be the easternmost team in the Pac-12 after being the westernmost team in the Sun Belt. While the rebuilt Pac-12 is not what it used to be, this move not only helps Texas State grow its brand but also offers a new path for the university to expand in all aspects, with athletics serving as the backbone of that growth. San Marcos is arguably the best college town in Texas and will now be displayed on a national scale more often. To say farewell to the Sun Belt, often referred to as the "Fun Belt," I want to highlight important milestones and key records from Texas State's time in the conference.
Football
Bobcat football gained more traction over the past few seasons but struggled overall in the conference. The team posted a 29-65 record, which equates to a .308 winning percentage. While those numbers are not eye-opening, the Bobcats have had great seasons the past three years with G.J. Kinne at the helm.
In Kinne's first season, Texas State recorded its first eight-win season since joining the conference, as well as the first bowl win in program history when the Bobcats defeated Rice University in the First Responder Bowl. In Year 2 under Kinne, the Bobcats earned another eight-win season and another postseason trip, competing in the Servpro First Responder Bowl against the University of North Texas. They did it twice, winning consecutive bowl games for the first time in school history.
Finally, in Year 3 under Kinne, Texas State’s final season in the SBC, the Bobcats encountered some struggles, finding themselves 3-6 with three games to play. Texas State lost several one-possession games in 2025 due to major defensive struggles. However, the Bobcats won their final three games to become bowl-eligible for the third straight year. Texas State beat Rice to win its third consecutive bowl game, ending its tenure as a member of the Sun Belt Conference.
The Bobcats also reestablished themselves in the I-35 rivalry, going 2-1 over the last three years against the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners. San Marcos will host the 2026 edition of the I-35 rivalry. Texas State will open the 2026 season at the University of Texas on Sept. 5 at 2:30 p.m. CDT on ESPN.
Men’s Basketball
Texas State men’s basketball has had quite a journey since joining the Sun Belt in 2013. The Bobcats posted a .517 winning percentage with a 119-115 conference record. The team enjoyed a strong stretch from 2018 to 2022, winning at least 12 conference games each year during that span. Texas State won back-to-back regular-season conference championships under Terrence Johnson, who won the title in his first year in 2021.
After 2022, the Bobcats endured three straight seasons of .500 or below basketball. That changed during the 2025-26 season, when Texas State played meaningful basketball late in the year and competed for another regular-season title, ultimately finishing in a six-way tie for second place to end the regular season. The Bobcats fell to the University of Southern Mississippi in the fourth round of the conference tournament by a score of 81-77.
Texas State will return key center DJ Hall, who had a breakout year for the Bobcats. He averaged 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists per game with a 54% field goal percentage. Texas State looks to build on that momentum heading into a tough Pac-12 field that includes the Gonzaga Bulldogs, who continue to excel year after year.
Softball
The Texas State softball team put together one of the greatest runs in Sun Belt Conference history across all sports. Since joining the league in 2014, Texas State has dominated the field, compiling an overall Sun Belt regular season record of 191-96-1.
The Bobcats appeared in an NCAA regional tournament seven times during their tenure in the conference. They won the regular-season title twice (2018 and 2025) and claimed the tournament title twice (2018 and 2024). Head coach Ricci Woodard has done a tremendous job with the program, which faces a bright future in the Pac-12.
Baseball
The Bobcat baseball team also enjoyed a strong run in the Sun Belt. When Texas State joined the conference, longtime head coach Ty Harrington was at the helm. Harrington stepped away after the 2019 season where he won the sun belt regular season championship, paving the way for Steven Trout.
The Bobcats posted a 193-164 conference record during their time in the league. Texas State won the 2022 Sun Belt regular-season championship with a dominant 26-4 conference record. The program also made a pair of NCAA regional appearances, first in 2022 at the Stanford Regional and most recently this past season at the College Station Regional.
The Bobcats won their opening regional game against the USC Trojans by a score of 5-4 before falling in the next two games to Texas A&M University and USC. Texas State baseball continues to climb and looks to make a splash in a competitive Pac-12 field during the 2026-27 athletic year.
Volleyball
Texas State’s volleyball program also enjoyed a successful run in the Sun Belt. Since joining the conference, the Bobcats have won two regular-season titles (2018, 2019) and five tournament championships (2013, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2024).
Sean Huiet, the program’s current head coach, took over in 2020 and has maintained that momentum. Under his leadership, Texas State has compiled a 79-17 record in Sun Belt play. Huiet has the team poised for its next chapter as the Bobcats aim to add Pac-12 championships to their trophy case.
The Texas State athletic department is prepared for the challenges a new conference brings. The Texas State student body is ready for this change and eager to see higher-level competition come through San Marcos. This move provides the university with a national platform to showcase its campus beauty and academic achievements.