BYU to leave Mountain West

Two weeks after inflicting serious damage to the Western Athletic Conference by swiping two of its members, the Mountain West Conference has suffered a major blow of its own.

Brigham Young's decision to become independent in football and join the West Coast Conference in other sports became a reality Tuesday, a day after rumors of the defection began to circulate.

BYU has called a news conference for today, but the Cougars and both affected conferences issued statements confirming the move, which will take place after this academic year.

"They made a decision they think is in their best interest, so be it," UNLV athletic director Jim Livengood said. "It's not one I would've made. They've got smart people there, and they've been checking the landscape. I think it's extremely tough to be independent in football. I appreciate their long-term relationship with the Mountain West, and I wish them good luck."

The Mountain West appeared as if it might keep BYU after the Cougars' effort in mid-August to join the WAC was thwarted when the MWC invited UNR and Fresno State. The moves crippled the WAC but only delayed BYU's exit, despite the Mountain West's negotiations to improve the Cougars' TV package.

Now the Mountain West has decisions to make. It could continue talks with Conference USA to form a partnership in which the league champions play each other, perhaps with a Bowl Championship Series berth on the line.

The Mountain West, which will be at 10 schools after all the shuffling, could also pursue Conference USA schools such as Houston and Tulsa to reach 12 members, the amount required to play a league championship game in football.

But Livengood said the Mountain West needs to "kind of settle in" before deciding its next move.

There is plenty to absorb with BYU's departure, but Livengood said it was "too early to have that conversation" about whether UNLV should continue to play the Cougars beyond this academic year.

"There's no animosity," Livengood said.

Rebels basketball coach Lon Kruger said he would welcome future games against BYU, saying the Rebels have "always had great battles with them."

Football coach Bobby Hauck said he wasn't aware of the BYU news because he had been preparing for Saturday's season opener against Wisconsin.

As for the Cougars' football independence, Hauck said it will be "interesting to see how it goes."

Another affected party is the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas, which has included BYU in its game the past five seasons.

Executive director Tina Kunzer-Murphy didn't rule out the Cougars being involved in the game beyond this season, but it's unlikely they would be invited because the bowl is close to finalizing four-year contracts with the Mountain West and Pac-10 conferences.

"It's sad news for us because of our relationship with BYU, and it's a huge loss for the Mountain West Conference," Kunzer-Murphy said.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.