Conference realignment has resulted in several FCS affiliation changes over the last few years.
And there are more coming in 2025.
RELATED: FCS Conference Affiliation Changes In 2026
UTRGV’s FCS Debut Season
UTRGV (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) has started an FCS program with its debut season coming in 2025.
UTRGV will play in the Southland Conference after the athletic department announced it is leaving the WAC for the Southland, effective July 1, 2024.
The Vaqueros will be head-coached by Travis Bush, which was announced in December 2022. Bush was a high school head football coach from 2016-22. He coached in the college ranks from 2001-2014, including being the associate head coach at Texas State, the offensive coordinator at UTSA, and the assistant head coach/OC at Houston.
UTRGV recently announced it acquired H-E-B Park as the primary home for the football team, now to be called UTRGV Stadium. Since 2017, the venue had served as the home of the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros of the United Soccer League. The organization ceased operations in December 2023. Capacity will be around 10,000.
Delaware, Missouri State Join The FBS
Delaware and Missouri State were announced as the 11th and 12th members of Conference USA and are set to join the FBS league in 2025.
Missouri State leaves the MVFC, and Delaware is leaving the CAA. CUSA has recently added FCS members Jacksonville State, Sam Houston, and Kennesaw State.
Richmond Joins The Patriot League
Richmond accepted an invitation to join the Patriot League as an associate football member beginning in 2025, departing the CAA.
The Patriot League grows to eight football members. With the loss of Delaware and Richmond, the CAA drops to 14 football teams in 2025.
