Report: Idaho takes steps to join Sun Belt in football
The University of Idaho this week will seek permission from the State Board of Education to join the Sun Belt Conference as a football-only member in 2014, the Idaho Statesman reported Monday. UI athletic director Rob Spear told the Statesman that the apparent invitation from the Sun Belt has brought a "sense of relief." Idaho left the Sun Belt in 2005 after four years to join the WAC, which has disintegrated with its core membership leaving for more stable conferences.
Spear told The Spokesman-Review that Idaho will likely meet with the State Board on Wednesday. The Vandals will operate as an FBS independent this fall, and they had already scheduled games as an independent for 2014.
ESPN.com reported Monday the Sun Belt will add Appalachian State and Georgia Southern in 2015. Both schools are currently in the FCS. In the story, Sun Belt comissioner Karl Benson, who brought Idaho to the WAC in 2005, said Idaho and New Mexico State were being considered by his new conference.