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Ruston Today
By the People, for the People
Louisiana Tech Caught Between Two Conference Schedules
A March 19 court hearing will determine which conference the Bulldogs will play in for 2026.
Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:03am
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Louisiana Tech football finds itself in a scheduling conflict, with both Conference USA and the Sun Belt Conference listing the Bulldogs on their 2026 football schedules. The dispute traces back to La Tech's decision in 2025 to accept the Sun Belt's invitation to join the conference, but Conference USA has argued the school did not provide enough notice to leave. The two sides are now headed to court, with a hearing scheduled for March 19 to determine which conference schedule Louisiana Tech will follow.
Why it matters
This case highlights the complex nature of conference realignment in college sports, with schools sometimes caught in the middle of competing claims. The outcome will impact Louisiana football fans, particularly those hoping to see a regional rivalry game between Louisiana Tech and the University of Louisiana in 2026.
The details
In July 2025, Louisiana Tech accepted an invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference, with the move specified to happen "no later than July 1, 2027." However, La Tech wanted to join in 2026 and notified Conference USA of its intent to exit by July 1, 2026. C-USA argued that La Tech's notice was not long enough under its bylaws, which require at least 14 months' notice before a school can leave without a financial settlement. The two sides met in Dallas in late July 2025, with La Tech offering $480,000 plus its 2025-26 league distribution and the buyback of its TV rights, but C-USA rejected the offer in January 2026 and formally told La Tech it would remain on the 2026 schedule.
- In July 2025, Louisiana Tech accepted the Sun Belt's invitation to join the conference.
- In late July 2025, La Tech and Conference USA met in Dallas to discuss the school's planned exit.
- In January 2026, C-USA rejected La Tech's proposed financial settlement offer.
- In February 2026, C-USA formally told La Tech it would remain on the 2026 schedule.
- On March 4, 2026, the University of Louisiana System filed a lawsuit on La Tech's behalf seeking an injunction to force the early exit.
The players
Louisiana Tech
A public research university located in Ruston, Louisiana, and the flagship institution of the University of Louisiana System.
Conference USA
An NCAA Division I collegiate athletic conference that was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Sun Belt Conference
An NCAA Division I collegiate athletic conference that was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Sonny Cumbie
The head football coach of Louisiana Tech.
University of Louisiana System
The public university system in the U.S. state of Louisiana, which includes Louisiana Tech University.
What’s next
A Lincoln Parish judge has scheduled a hearing for March 19 to determine which conference schedule Louisiana Tech will follow in 2026.
The takeaway
This case highlights the complexities of conference realignment in college sports, with schools sometimes caught in the middle of competing claims from different conferences. The outcome of the March 19 hearing will have significant implications for Louisiana football fans and the future of Louisiana Tech's athletic program.
