Coastal Carolina to Sun Belt

Big news out of Conway tonight. Presumably, a “historic press conference” will occur at 1pm tomorrow, saying that Coastal Carolina University will be accepted to the Sun Belt Conference.

This was posted at 7:16pm tonight.

@coastalfans: BREAKING: Sources have confirmed that a “historic press conference” will occur @ 1:00pm tomorrow in the HTC Center. Open to the public.

This spot has been hotly contested over the past few weeks, as Eastern Kentucky University, New Mexico State, and Coastal have all been looked at by the league. It looks like Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson has made a decision.

Posted earlier today by JTApps1 on the Sun Belt message board:

“From a source VERY close to the process Coastal was voted in yesterday. They will begin competition in 16-17. I’d assume that means football will be a full member in 2018.”

From what it looks, Coastal Carolina will move to the Sun Belt in 2016-17, while the football programs enters a transition period. This year, the Chanticleers will be eligible for the FCS playoffs.

Next year (2016), they will be ineligible for the FCS playoffs as they reclassify. They will still be a part of the Big South. In 2017, the Chanticleers will move to the Sun Belt, and Division I play, while in 2018, CCU will become bowl-eligible.