Why Gonzaga finally made the leap from the WCC to the Pac-12

In the age of conference realignment, schools have clamored for more money, more exposure and rarely cared about geography or rivalries. While some schools jumped from league to league, Gonzaga proved every realignment rumor to be nothing more than that.

The Zags sat comfortably in the West Coast Conference, not just dominating, but owning the league in men’s basketball. Gonzaga won or shared the WCC regular season title 23 of the last 26 years and won 20 of the last 25 conference tournaments. While everything else in college sports was routinely shaken up, Gonzaga’s WCC dominance was a constant.

But like many things in college sports, it has come to an end. Gonzaga will join the new-look Pac-12 in all sports July 1, 2026. It will become the league’s only private school for now and boosts the Pac-12’s already impressive basketball lineup.