Report: Fresno State accepts Mountain West invite

0 Comments

It was reported that the Mountain West, with the specter of BYU potentially leaving looming ominously over the conference, had approached Fresno State and Nevada about jumping ship from the WAC.

24 hours and one official invitation later, one of those schools is indeed headed overboard.

Citing sources with knowledge of the situation, the Fresno Bee is reporting that Fresno State has accepted the Mountain West’s invitation and will become the conference’s ninth team — for now.  An official announcement is expected at some point today.

Interestingly, the Bee reports that the Bulldogs’ decision to join the MWC is independent of BYU leaving to become a football independent, although that seems to be a matter of when and not if.

With the Bulldogs accepting their invitation, Nevada Will Likely follow suit as it would make little or no sense for them to stay in a conference that’s lost their two flagships —  Boise State and Fresno State.

Former Navy coach Niumatalolo joins UCLA staff

ken niumatalolo
Getty Images
0 Comments

LOS ANGELES – Former Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo is joining UCLA’s coaching staff as director of leadership.

The school said in an announcement Friday that Niumatalolo will serve as an advisor to the Bruins’ football staff and players.

Niumatalolo led Navy for 15 years and was the winningest coach in school history at 109-83. The Midshipmen, however, finished with losing records the past three seasons, including 4-8 the past two.

Navy played in 10 bowl games under Niumatalolo. He also was the only coach to win his first eight games in the storied Army-Navy rivalry.

Troy, Jon Sumrall agree to new 4-year contract through 2026

troy football
Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports
0 Comments

TROY, Ala. ⁠— Jon Sumrall agreed to a new four-year contract as Troy’s coach after leading the Trojans to a Sun Belt Conference championship and national ranking in his debut season.

The school announced the deal, which runs through 2026, but didn’t release details.

The Trojans went 12-2 and won their final 11 games, second only to national champion Georgia, including the league championship game and the Cure Bowl against UTSA. For the first time, they finished a season ranked, ending up 19th in The Associated Press Top 25.

“When we appointed Coach Sumrall in December 2021, we challenged him to return Troy football to the top of the Sun Belt Conference,” Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. said. “It didn’t take long, as the 2022 season was the best in our FBS history.”

Troy held all 14 of its opponents to under their season average in scoring, beating UTSA 18-12. The Trojans beat Coastal Carolina 45-26 in the Sun Belt title game.

“Last year was an amazing accomplishment for everyone associated with Troy football and was the product of relentless effort from our players and staff, athletic administration and university leaders,” Sumrall said.