Rep. Garnett Coleman, whose district includes the university, told The Associated Press that school officials have told him the Cougars will leave Conference USA for the Big East. The university has declined comment this week.
The Big East is preparing to announce the additions of Boise State and San Diego State as football-only members and Houston, Central Florida and SMU for all sports, a person with knowledge of the situation told the AP on Tuesday. The five schools will join in 2013.
The person spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because details were still being worked out and plans for an announcement were being completed.
The Big East has been trying to rebuild as a 12-school football conference since Syracuse and Pittsburgh announced they would be moving to the ACC and West Virginia announced it was leaving for the Big 12. TCU also reneged on a commitment to join the Big East and instead accepted an invite to the Big 12.
