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West Florida joining the UAC in 2026 - just a brief stopover on the way to the FBS?

Griz in Texas

Griz in Texas

Well-known member
I just saw this news regarding West Florida joining the UAC effective 2026 for all sports.

The West Florida Argonauts, currently competing in the Gulf South Conference, are expected to formally announce their transition to the FCS on Thursday. Per the report, the Argonauts will join the United Athletic Conference (UAC).

With West Florida’s addition, the UAC would expand to eight football‑playing members. The Argonauts would join Abilene Christian, Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, Tarleton State, and West Georgia.

Their first year of football was in 2016 and they were D-II Champions in 2019. They have been in the D-II playoffs in six of nine seasons as a program.

Although it feels like this is a response by the UAC to losing SUU and UTU, it also feels like this is a move out of the other Florida teams' playbook that breezed by the FCS on the way to FBS. I don't see them doing any better than Central Florida, South Florida, Florida Atlantic and Florida International, who didn't really have a tremendous impact on the FCS where I believe only Florida Atlantic made it as far as a semifinal appearance in 2003.
 
Griz in Texas said:
I just saw this news regarding West Florida joining the UAC effective 2026 for all sports.

The West Florida Argonauts, currently competing in the Gulf South Conference, are expected to formally announce their transition to the FCS on Thursday. Per the report, the Argonauts will join the United Athletic Conference (UAC).

With West Florida’s addition, the UAC would expand to eight football‑playing members. The Argonauts would join Abilene Christian, Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, Tarleton State, and West Georgia.

Their first year of football was in 2016 and they were D-II Champions in 2019. They have been in the D-II playoffs in six of nine seasons as a program.

Although it feels like this is a response by the UAC to losing SUU and UTU, it also feels like this is a move out of the other Florida teams' playbook that breezed by the FCS on the way to FBS. I don't see them doing any better than Central Florida, South Florida, Florida Atlantic and Florida International, who didn't really have a tremendous impact on the FCS where I believe only Florida Atlantic made it as far as a semifinal appearance in 2003.
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Football is moving to FCS, all other sports are moving to D1 in the ASUN. There are also building a new 50 million dollar stadium to ready in 2027.
 
The FCS needs some strong football programs coming out of the South. Marshall, App State and Georgia Southern use to be powerhouses down there. They moved up and NOBODY emerged.

Now the FCS has become boring with only the Big Sky and Missouri Valley as the only conferences who care to win.
 
jrifkin48 said:
The FCS needs some strong football programs coming out of the South. Marshall, App State and Georgia Southern use to be powerhouses down there. They moved up and NOBODY emerged.

Now the FCS has become boring with only the Big Sky and Missouri Valley as the only conferences who care to win.
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Seems like it, that's why a lot of the FCS teams are/have been investing/fund raising over the last few years, many believe the next realignment will take place in 2027 through 2030. Tarlingeton State, North Dakota and South Dakota State are trying to get to the MWC, if these teams leave, the FCS is dead in 5 years.
 
MontanaGrizSoccer said:
Seems like it, that's why a lot of the FCS teams are/have been investing/fund raising over the last few years, many believe the next realignment will take place in 2027 through 2030. Tarlingeton State, North Dakota and South Dakota State are trying to get to the MWC, if these teams leave, the FCS is dead in 5 years.
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Not sure the fate of FCS is tied to a handful of schools leaving.
 
MontanaGrizSoccer said:
Football is moving to FCS, all other sports are moving to D1 in the ASUN. There are also building a new 50 million dollar stadium to ready in 2027.
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New is not so accurate for what 'there are' building. The current facility is call Penair Field and they're building around it what will become Derrell Gooden Stadium.

Isn't there one team left from the WAC in the UAC? Not much of an alliance anymore either way.
 
Griz in Texas said:
New is not so accurate for what 'there are' building. The current facility is call Penair Field and they're building around it what will become Derrell Gooden Stadium.

Isn't there one team left from the WAC in the UAC? Not much of an alliance anymore either way.
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Spending 50 million, the YouTube video and renderings look good, they probably move to FBS in. Few years.
 
jrifkin48 said:
The FCS needs some strong football programs coming out of the South. Marshall, App State and Georgia Southern use to be powerhouses down there. They moved up and NOBODY emerged.

Now the FCS has become boring with only the Big Sky and Missouri Valley as the only conferences who care to win.
Click to expand...
The problem is those teams didn't actually leave. They're still there taking all the recruits and then some. The new teams coming up are still getting the same leftovers they got before.
 
Griz in Texas said:
Their current stadium is 7,500, they are expanding it to 10k, and there will be room to expand further from that. Their program only dates back to 2016, they won the D-II title in 2019. This is just a quick stop off on the way to FBS.
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This article is from last month. Poor reporting?

news.uwf.edu

UWF breaks ground on Darrell Gooden Stadium - University of West Florida Newsroom

The University of West Florida reached a historic milestone on Feb. 11, 2026, officially breaking ground on the Darrell Gooden Stadium, a multi-use football and events facility that represents UWF’s growth and a significant investment in the community. University leaders, student-athletes...
news.uwf.edu news.uwf.edu

"Designed to expand seating capacity from approximately 3,800 to 7,500, the new stadium will include premium seating, club areas and suites, along with modern amenities that enhance the game-day experience and allow the facility to host a wide range of events beyond football."
 
Griz in Texas said:
Their current stadium is 7,500, they are expanding it to 10k, and there will be room to expand further from that. Their program only dates back to 2016, they won the D-II title in 2019. This is just a quick stop off on the way to FBS.
Click to expand...
So the teams wikipedia page says the stadium "is expected to accommodate approximately 10,000 spectators, including 7,500 permanent seats, along with premium seating, club areas, and suites."
 
jrifkin48 said:
The FCS needs some strong football programs coming out of the South. Marshall, App State and Georgia Southern use to be powerhouses down there. They moved up and NOBODY emerged.

Now the FCS has become boring with only the Big Sky and Missouri Valley as the only conferences who care to win.
Click to expand...
The FCS is a joke with most of the real powerhouses moving up. I got trolled about my comments regarding bringing in all of the D3, D2, JUCO, and NAIA teams, but it's really what it feels like. West Florida? Who are they? in 52 years of following football, specifically FCS I never heard of them until right now. I guess East Florida, Southwest Central Georgia, North by North East Maine will be joining the FCS next.
 
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