“Absolutely Disgusted”: Insider Makes Thoughts Clear on JMU’s Surprise Conference Realignment Move Amid Undefeated Season

After a 6-0 start to their season, the James Madison Dukes surprised many after announcing they will leave the Sun Belt Conference for the American Athletic Conference. The school announced that this will happen "no later than July 1, 2028," which means that for now, it is still with the SBC.

The announcement raised a lot of eyebrows, with CBS Sports' Bud Elliott calling out the school for choosing to leave the SBC for the AAC and saying these sorts of maneuvers are ruining college football.

"I am absolutely DISGUSTED that James Madison would abandon the Sun Belt for the American. What about loyalty? Tradition? The sanctity of conference membership? College football is being RUINED by schools selfishly pursuing their own interests," he posted on X.

JMU has been part of the SBC since 2022 as the school transitioned from the FCS to the FBS. The program gained prominence since then, as the likes of Curt Cignetti and Bob Chesney led the Dukes to much success. Now under Billy Napier, the Dukes are still undefeated this season.

When its AAC membership does become official, JMU will join other "full" members such as Alabama-Birmingham, Charlotte, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Memphis, North Texas, Rice, South Florida, Temple, Texas-San Antonio, Tulane, Tulsa and Wichita State, though Wichita State does not sponsor a football program. Army and Navy are also part of the AAC, but only in football.

JMU President Releases Statement on Leaving the SBC For the AAC

The official JMU Sports website was the one that revealed the school's planned move to the AAC. This included a statement from JMU President James Schmidt, saying that it was an honor to be accepted by the conference.

"We are honored that our request for membership in the American Conference has been accepted. I am grateful to Commissioner Tim Pernetti and the conferences' presidents and chancellors for their confidence in James Madison University," he said. "The American is home to member institutions who share our ambitious academic goals and our unwavering commitment to student success. Our student-athletes will compete in cities where JMU alumni are already rooted, and future Dukes will fill the stands. With this move, we carry deep appreciation for the Sun Belt Conference and its member institutions. Their partnership helped position JMU for this moment, and we are proud of everything we built together."

While JMU mostly competes in the Sun Belt, its lacrosse team has been competing in the American since 2022, winning two titles as an affiliate member. The school's swimming and diving teams have also begun competing in the AAC in the 2025-2026 season, with this latest move now solidifying that the school is fully moving to the American from the SBC.

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