The Sun Belt Conference officially named Karl Benson as its new commissioner on Thursday and Benson laid out his plan for the conference, which includes possible expansion to 12 teams - or more.

Benson officially takes over in April, but is already busy getting ready for what could be an interesting few months thanks to a new conference made up of members from the Mountain West and Conference USA revealing Monday it may add anywhere from two to eight teams.

Benson said the Sun Belt also may be in acquisition mode. The Sun Belt has 10 football playing schools and the addition of two more would enable the conference to hold a championship game.

"As we settle in and look at the potential and look at the future, membership is important," Benson said. "The Sun Belt currently has 10 football-playing schools and one non-football-playing  school in University Arkansas-Little Rock. Without getting into specifics about numbers I think there's an advantage in getting to at least 12 to take advantage of additional post-season opportunities. In the coming weeks the Sun Belt Board will establish a committee that look to evaluate the current membership and future membership."

But Benson said any potential members would have to be the right fit and talked about the Sun Belt’s advantage of having a relatively regional “footprint.”

One of the most likely schools to be targeted would figure to be Louisiana Tech, which plays in the WAC – the conference Benson will be leaving after 18 years to join the Sun Belt.

Benson also said schools that play at the FCS level (formerly I-AA) that have shown interest in moving to the FBS level would also be candidates.

"The Sun Belt footprint provides a pool of possible members that are already in that footprint - both FBS member as well as FCS members who have indicateds an interest in moving up to FBS," Benson said 

Benson will be replacing Wright Waters, who is retiring.
 

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February 16, 2012