College football is an ever-changing landscape. And that’s especially the case for the Group of Six.
Schools in the G6 have to constantly adjust to the ripple effects of NIL, coaching movement, the transfer portal, and conference realignment. There’s no shortage of news for those programs.
Here’s a look at some of the latest developments for G6 teams:
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Jon Haarlow To Be Washington State’s Athletic Director
Jon Haarlow will be Washington State’s long-term athletic director after being in the role on an interim basis, according to multiple reports on April 7.
Haarlow had been the interim AD since November. He was the Assistant Vice President and Senior Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Operating Officer for Wazzu before that.
Haarlow led the hiring for new head football coach Kirby Moore as well as the hiring process for head soccer coach Chris Citowicki. Haarlow has also been integral in Wazzu’s recent fundraising efforts. That included more than $10 million for WSU’s Athletics Fan Experience Project.
North Dakota State, Montana State Game In 2027 Still Scheduled
North Dakota State’s game with Montana State in 2027, as part of the 2027 Vegas Kickoff Classic, is still scheduled to take place, the programs announced on March 25.
This is following NDSU’s move up to the FBS and the Mountain West. The game will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada – where NDSU conference opponent UNLV plays.
North Dakota State is known for its dominance in the FCS, winning 10 national championships since 2011. But Montana State is a strong program as well. The Bobcats won the FCS title this past season.
North Dakota State, Sacramento State Could Be Looking At Postseason in 2026
The Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee last month introduced legislation that could help North Dakota State and Sacramento State be eligible for postseason play immediately.
A recommendation is being made regarding teams moving up from the FCS to the FBS. Under the current rules, those teams can’t compete in postseason bowl games until Year 2 of their reclassification, and that’s only if they win enough games and there aren’t enough bowl-eligible teams.
This new legislation would get rid of that, so NDSU and Sac State could participate in the postseason if they win enough games in 2026.
Other rules are being considered as well. For example, a recommendation is being made that if there aren’t enough bowl-eligible teams in the FBS that conferences and their bowl partners can choose from 5-7 teams to extend bowl invites to rather than 5-7 teams with the highest Academic Progress Rate receiving an invite.
The FBS Oversight Committee also is exploring legislation to “address schools circumventing a sport’s notification-of-transfer period by adding transfer student-athletes to their football roster who were not entered into the Transfer Portal during football’s January window.”
The committee can choose to act on these ideas in early May, and, if it is adopted, it would be reviewed by the Division I Cabinet in June before it is effective.
Trump Signs Executive Order To Make Room For Army-Navy Game
President Donald Trump announced an executive order on March 20 that “no college football game, specifically college football’s CFP or other postseason games, be broadcast in a manner that directly conflicts with the Army‑Navy Game.”
“America’s Game” has been played on the second Saturday of December. But potential expansion of the College Football Playoff has brought up the possibility of a bowl game or a CFP matchup clashing with the Army-Navy game, one of the most storied rivalries in all of college football.
“We are deeply appreciative of President Trump’s executive order preserving a dedicated window for the #ArmyNavy game,” Navy athletic director Michael Kelly wrote on Twitter/X. “America’s Game…a tradition that represents far more than football by honoring our service academies and the mission of developing leaders for our nation. Maintaining its exclusivity ensures the country can come together to recognize the sacrifice, commitment, and readiness that are essential to our military. We are also encouraged that this step helps create a pathway for @NavyFB to participate in the @CFBPlayoff when earned, allowing us to both preserve tradition and embrace opportunity. #GoNavy #ExpectToWin.”
The executive order seeks to establish an exclusive window for the Army-Navy game. This was announced the same day that Trump invited the Navy football team to the White House after the Midshipmen beat Army and secured the Commander in Chief’s Trophy in 2025.
“We’re grateful for the President’s leadership and for everyone working to protect, preserve, and unite around America’s Game and the values it stands for,” Army athletic director Tom Theodorakis said.
What Conference Will Louisiana Tech Play In This Year?
That question is up for debate, but Louisiana Tech is doing all it can to play in the Sun Belt in 2026.
The Bulldogs are suing Conference USA with the intention of leaving the league. CUSA rules state programs need to provide 14 months’ notice, but LA Tech publicized its Sun Belt plans in mid-July of 2025.
This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Southern Miss, Old Dominion, and Marshall sued CUSA when they jumped to the Sun Belt in 2022. All three did play in the SBC that year, but they each paid $1.75 million to do so.
LA Tech offered to pay $480,000 or forgo its 2025-26 conference distribution, buy back its television rights, and pay its membership fee, according to The Athletic.
But CUSA argued that, because of the timeline Louisiana Tech is looking at, it effectively should have to pay upwards of $5.5 million. That number is an accumulation of forgoing two years of league distribution money and paying a late notice fee of $825,000.
Earlier this month, it was reported the Sun Belt was going to release its conference schedule for the 2026 season the next day. Then Conference USA went ahead and put out its slate for the season late that night before the Sun Belt did. CUSA’s schedule included Louisiana Tech.
Louisiana Tech also appeared on the Sun Belt’s conference slate released the following day and appears in the SBC West Division.
But again, this isn’t the first time this has happened. CUSA did the same thing back in 2022 when ODU, Marshall, and USM departed three years ago and had to come up with a revised schedule.
Only time will tell what conference Louisiana Tech will play in this season. But there’s not much time left.
