Conference USA will add Liberty, Jacksonville State, New Mexico State and Sam Houston State, according to multiple reports, as the league tries to replenish its ranks after having nine schools announce plans to leave in the past month.
All four schools have accepted invitations to Conference USA, a person familiar with the decisions told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because an official announcement was still being prepared.
Yahoo Sports first reported that Conference USA planned to invite the four schools.
The Conference USA overhaul might not be done. Mid-American Conference presidents were meeting Friday with possible expansion on the agenda and Conference USA members Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State as potential options, a person familiar with the situation told the AP, also speaking on condition of anonymity because the league discussions are private.
Including Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State, Conference USA has only five members that have not announced plans to leave in the next few years. The NCAA requires FBS leagues to have at least eight teams.
Liberty and Jacksonville State are members of the ASUN Conference for most sports, though Liberty is an FBS independent while Jacksonville State has been a successful FCS program.
New Mexico State is also an FBS independent and member of Western Athletic Conference for basketball and other sports. Sam Houston State, which is coming off an FCS national championship, is part of the newly restarted WAC football league, which is competing in the FCS this year.