Louisiana Tech is leaving Conference USA to become the 14th member of the Sun Belt Conference, ESPN reported.

Sun Belt officials reportedly approved the move on Monday to replace Texas State, which recently jumped to the Pac-12.

Louisiana Tech has been with Conference USA since 2013. The Bulldogs’ basketball programs and other sports besides football previously were part of the Sun Belt from 1991-2001 before joining the Western Athletic Conference from 2001-13.

The earliest date Louisiana Tech can join the Sun Belt is 2026. It reportedly will cost the school at least $5 million to negotiate an exit from Conference USA.

The Bulldogs’ football program has not finished above .500 since going 10-3 under former coach Skip Holtz in 2019. They were 5-8 last season under Sonny Cumbie.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team has topped 20 wins in 11 of the past 13 seasons but has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 1991.

The women’s basketball team finished 18-16 last season and has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 2011.

–Field Level Media