Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Memphis, Tulane, and South Florida decide to stay in the AAC after overtures from the new Pac-12

Texas-San Antonio also is staying in the AAC. Temple has been in the conference since 2013.

Memphis wide receiver Koby Drake and offensive lineman Jonah Gambill celebrate after defeating Florida State, 20-12, on Sept. 14.
Memphis wide receiver Koby Drake and offensive lineman Jonah Gambill celebrate after defeating Florida State, 20-12, on Sept. 14.Read moreColin Hackley / AP
    by Ralph D. Russo, Associated Press
    Published 

Memphis, Tulane, South Florida, and Texas-San Antonio announced Monday that they remain committed to the American Athletic Conference after receiving overtures from the Pac-12.

The four schools and the AAC released a statement that made no mention of the Pac-12, but several people with knowledge of the talks told the Associated Press that the rebuilding conference had targeted the three schools as potential new members. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the Pac-12 nor the schools were making their discussions public.

» READ MORE: Temple’s Maddux Trujillo named AAC special teams player of the week after kicking 64-yard field goal

Temple has been a member of the AAC since 2013.

“While we acknowledge receiving interest in our institutions from other conferences, we firmly believe that it is in our individual and collective best interests to uphold our commitment to each other,” the schools said. “Together, we will continue to modernize the conference, elevate the student-athlete experience, achieve championship-winning successes, and build the future.”

The Pac-12 is now expected to turn its attention to UNLV and Utah State of the Mountain West, people with knowledge of the situation said.

The Pac-12 began to restock for a 2026 relaunch two weeks ago by landing Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Colorado State from the Mountain West to join Washington State and Oregon State, the only two Pac-12 schools left after a dramatic round of realignment.

» READ MORE: Stan Drayton hasn’t named starting quarterback despite Temple’s success under Evan Simon

The Pac-12 needs at least two more members to reach the eight required to be a recognized conference with access to NCAA championships and the College Football Playoff in 2026.