Sacramento, California – Sacramento State’s plans to transition from the FCS level to the FBS have run into a major setback. The NCAA Division I Council has voted to deny the school’s request for a waiver that would have allowed them to move up without a formal invitation from an FBS conference. The finalization of this decision is expected to be confirmed after meetings wrap up later this week.
First-year head coach of the Sacramento State football team, Brendan Marion, expressed confidence in the program’s future despite the setback. “We’re obviously aware of the decision today but we remain fully confident that we’ll have the opportunity to go FBS here in the near future,” Marion stated. He added that there are plans in the works that he cannot disclose at the moment, but he believes the move to FBS is still on the horizon.
Last week, Sacramento State informed the Big Sky Conference of their decision to exit by June 30, 2026. Additionally, they announced a transition to the Big West for non-football sports starting July 1, 2026. As it stands, the Hornets’ football program is now left in a precarious situation without a conference to play for, and they may need to compete as an independent entity in the FCS next season while they continue to pursue an FBS invitation.
The NCAA’s decision comes from its “bona fide invitation” rule, which states that a school must receive an official offer from an FBS conference before making such a transition. Currently, Sacramento State does not have that offer. The Oversight Committee for the FBS had previously suggested denying the waiver earlier this month.
This decision marks a stark contrast to the approval given to Liberty in 2017, which allowed them to compete as an FBS independent for five years prior to joining Conference USA. Sacramento State had aimed to use this precedent to support their request, but NCAA officials pointed out that the college football landscape has significantly changed since then.
“Although a waiver of the bona fide invitation requirement was granted in 2017, that decision was made in a different era, under a different set of facts and rules,” the committee explained in their denial recommendation, noting that current legislation stresses the importance of reclassification processes.
The denial of the waiver has serious implications for Sacramento State’s aspirations for future realignment. Without a conference invitation or the waiver, the Hornets must now navigate an uncertain future for their football program. Additionally, a group of boosters known as the “Sac12” was formed last year to enhance the school’s chances for a future invite to the Pac-12. Their ambitious plans involve raising $50 million for NIL funding, constructing new facilities, and establishing realignment fees, which now seem more challenging with the current developments.
In summary, Sacramento State’s journey towards joining the FBS is currently on hold, requiring adjustments to their strategies in an increasingly competitive environment in college football.
