FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota State University (NDSU) has accepted an invitation to join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only affiliate member, marking a significant transition from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level, with competition beginning in fall 2026. The move, announced on Feb. 9, elevates one of college football’s most dominant programs into a higher-profile league, promising greater national visibility, expanded recruiting opportunities, and alignment with broader institutional goals in academics and research — though the Bison will face a two-year postseason transition period.
This decision culminates years of strategic evaluation for NDSU, a land-grant research university in Fargo, North Dakota, renowned for its football excellence. The Bison have won 10 national championships in the past 15 years at the FCS level, establishing a dynasty under a succession of coaches, including Craig Bohl, Chris Klieman, Matt Entz, and current head coach Tim Polasek, a native of Iola, Wisconsin.
“This is a proud moment for NDSU,” said NDSU President David Cook. “We’ve built something special here by being thoughtful, disciplined, and willing to take bold steps when the time is right. We’ve made a move like this before, and it strengthened our university in lasting ways. Joining the Mountain West builds on that legacy and reflects our confidence in the people, programs, and purpose that define NDSU.”
The Mountain West, known for its competitive tradition and nationwide recognition, welcomed the addition enthusiastically.
“We are thrilled to welcome North Dakota State University’s football program to the Mountain West,” said MW Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “The Bison bring a championship mindset and a bold vision for growth that aligns with the unwavering commitment to the excellence of the Mountain West. Their dedication to elevating the student athlete experience — on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the community — will energize the Mountain West and help propel our football profile to new heights nationwide.”
NDSU will compete in football exclusively within the Mountain West starting July 1, 2026, while maintaining its membership in the Summit League for most other sports and the Big 12 for wrestling. The transition includes financial commitments, such as a reported $12.5 million entry fee to the conference and $5 million to the NCAA for the FCS-to-FBS move. During the initial two-year period, the Bison will not be eligible for the Mountain West championship, the College Football Playoff, or bowl games, though the university has indicated plans to appeal for earlier eligibility in some capacities.
Athletics Director Matt Larsen highlighted the program’s readiness and the benefits for fans and players.
“This is a historic day for NDSU Athletics. Our football program has earned this opportunity through the sustained success and leadership of our student-athletes and coaches past and present,” Larsen said. “Joining the Mountain West is an exciting new opportunity for our team to compete at the highest level, for our fans to see FBS opponents coming to Fargo, and for Bison football to reach a wider national audience through expanded television coverage.”
Head Coach Tim Polasek, who has led NDSU to a 26-3 record and two Missouri Valley Football Conference titles since taking over in late 2023 — including the program’s 10th FCS national championship — expressed strong confidence in the team’s preparation.
“We’re extremely proud of this, and we are prepared to do this,” Polasek said. “Saying we’re excited is an understatement. All the necessary planning and preparation work has been done by the administration, and the players are ready to compete at the highest level. On Day One, this is something that can be attained.”
He added that fans have long anticipated more high-level matchups: “Fans are excited and are looking forward to the opportunity to compete at the highest level.”
Analysts have noted NDSU’s potential to make an immediate impact. According to Opta Analyst’s TRACR metric, the Bison would have been favored over every Mountain West team on a neutral field last season. USA Today’s Matt Hayes pointed to the program’s coaching continuity and culture as key factors.
“Four coaches (Craig Bohl, Chris Klieman, Matt Entz, Tim Polasek) won national titles at NDSU in those 15 years, a line of succession that’s almost unthinkable in this era of quick-change college football,” Hayes wrote. “Because if Polasek — an assistant for 10 years with the Bison before getting the job in 2024 and winning 26 of 29 games — can mold the valuable NDSU culture with a handful of impact starters from the transfer portal, this thing could get big. Quickly.”
Interim President Rick Berg emphasized the move’s alignment with NDSU’s core mission.
“Dr. David Cook and I signed the agreement that moves NDSU football to the Mountain West following extensive planning and evaluation,” Berg said. “This decision strengthens NDSU’s national presence while keeping our academic mission, student success, and institutional values front and center.”
As NDSU engages stakeholders and finalizes operational details, excitement is building across campus and among the Bison faithful. The move positions the program on a larger stage, where its proven track record could quickly challenge established FBS teams in the Mountain West.
Current Mountain West Football Members (for 2026 onward)
The conference’s football membership for the 2026 season includes the following 10 teams:
- Air Force Falcons (United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO)
- Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors (University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI) — Already a football member; becoming full member in 2026-27
- Nevada Wolf Pack (University of Nevada, Reno, NV)
- New Mexico Lobos (University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM)
- North Dakota State Bison (North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND) — Football-only affiliate starting 2026
- Northern Illinois Huskies (Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL)
- San Jose State Spartans (San José State University, San Jose, CA)
- UNLV Rebels (University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV)
- UTEP Miners (University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX) — Joining as a full member in 2026-27
- Wyoming Cowboys (University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Tim Polasek bio
Courtesy NDSU website
Tim Polasek, an Iola native and graduate of Iola-Scandinavia High School, where he was a three-sport athlete, is the 32nd head coach in the history of the North Dakota State University football program. He was an assistant for 10 years with the Bison over two separate stints before returning to NDSU as the head coach in December 2023.
In his first two seasons at the helm, Polasek had a 26-3 record with two Missouri Valley Football Conference championships and the program’s 10th NCAA Division I FCS national championship. The Bison went 14-2 in his first season and 12-1 in his second season. He was runner-up for the 2025 Eddie Robinson Award, presented to the FCS national coach of the year.
Polasek was part of the NDSU staff under head coach Craig Bohl from 2006-12, coaching the running backs, tight ends, and fullbacks in addition to his duties with special teams and recruiting. He returned to North Dakota State in 2014 and spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator and running backs coach under Chris Klieman.
In between his first two stops at North Dakota State, Polasek was the tight ends and fullbacks coach for a 12-2 Northern Illinois team that advanced to the 2013 Mid-American Conference championship game and Poinsettia Bowl.
Polasek has eight years of coaching experience at the FBS level. He spent four seasons in the Big Ten Conference as offensive line coach at Iowa from 2017 to 2020 and was in the Mountain West Conference as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Bohl at Wyoming from 2021-23.
He was an assistant coach at Wisconsin-Stevens Point for three seasons before coming to North Dakota State. Polasek coached the defensive backs (2005), wide receivers/tight ends (2003-04), and quarterbacks (spring 2003), and was the special teams coordinator in 2004-05 and passing game coordinator in 2003-04.
The all-time leading passer at Concordia University in Wisconsin, he set single-game, single-season, and career records in TD passes, passing yards, completions, and completion percentage. Polasek was the 2000 Badger-Illini Conference Player of the Year. He was a two-time first-team all-conference selection in 2000-01 and a second-team selection in 1999.
Polasek graduated from Concordia in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He earned his master’s degree from Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2005.
He and his wife, Jill, were married in May 2014.
