Add another one to the list of programs joining the reformed Pac-12 Conference. Starting in July 2026, Gonzaga and all of its sports teams will be leaving the West Coast Conference to join the newly reformed Pac-12. It comes as a shock to the sporting world as the Pac-12 will now be adding one of the strongest basketball programs in the country to its list of participants. Gonzaga had reportedly been in talks to join the Big 12, but will opt for the Pac-12 instead.
Gonzaga had been in the West Coast Conference (previously West Coast Athletic Conference) since 1979, and was previously a member of the Big Sky Conference. In total, the Zags have won 28 regular season conference basketball titles and mostly dominated the WCC. The program made its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 1994 and has become a staple in the field.
Since current head coach Mark Few took over in 1999, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have emerged as one of the most consistent programs in all of college basketball. They’ve never missed a tournament under Few. Additionally, Gonzaga has won the WCC regular season title 22 times and the WCC tournament 19 times. Since 2015, the Zags have advanced past the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament each year. They have two national title appearances, but came up short against eventual champions North Carolina and Baylor.
Few routinely gets the most out of his players, but his ability to recruit elite talent is what has helped separate Gonzaga from other mid-majors. Players who have gone through the program include Adam Morrison, Kelly Olynyk, Domantas Sabonis, Zach Collins, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Suggs, and Chet Holmgren — all of which went on to become NBA lottery selections. With the way Few has recruited in recent years, there’s no doubting Gonzaga’s ability to keep up with the top teams across the country.
Gonzaga will now be joining a basketball league that includes Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Oregon State, San Diego State, Utah State, and Washington State to become its eight member. However, since the Zags do not have a football team the conference will still be looking for another program to fill that void. The revamped Pac-12 will feature a basketball team that has a chance to compete on the national stage each year.
