New WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell gave insight into where she sees the future of the Pac-12.

Cantwell does not have the final say on any decision about the Pac-12, as she is not an athletic director or a member of the Pac-12 governing board. However, as the President of one of the conference’s flagship schools, she does have a voice in any Pac-12 rebuild discussions.

“There’s more change to come in the Pac,” said Cantwell.

She said the Pac-12 was an “incredible, enduring brand,” and that the new Pac-12 was going to have to shape its own identity.

“For Utah (State), it was a step in an upward direction,” Cantwell said. “For the Pac-2, it is about preserving the brand.”

She said if it was up to her, she would keep the Pac-12 west, honoring its namesake, its history and its student-athletes’ time.

“I really would like to see a successful, at least high mid-tier conference, that doesn’t send student-athletes all over the country,” Cantwell said. “Let’s say west of the Mississippi … or let’s say on the Mississippi.”

The Mississippi River comment is an intriguing hint at which schools might still be in discussions with the Pac-12. The University of Memphis, an AAC school that turned down an offer from the Pac-12 in September, is located right on the Mississippi River.

Sports Illustrator columnist Bob Lundeberg wrote in January about what makes Memphis such a good fit for the growing Pac-12 conference.

“With a strong national brand and competitive football and men’s basketball programs, Memphis is arguably the premier athletics program outside of the Power 4 and Pac-12,” wrote Lundeberg.

However, he admitted that “there is nothing Pacific about Memphis.”

Meanwhile, Kels Dayton of the Hartford Courant newspaper reported in September that the University of Connecticut was in talks with the Pac-12. UConn, as it is more often referred to, is decidedly not close to the Mississippi River.

“According to (Ross) Dellenger, the Huskies initially had conversations with the conference about joining as a football-only member but have discussed full-time membership as well,” wrote Dayton.

It still appears to be unclear where the future of the Pac-12 will go, but Cantwell remains committed to helping student athletes thrive in all aspects of their lives.

“So much is coming at them,” Cantwell said. “We have a lot of work to do with our student athletes just to be by their side as they are moving forward into this weird world.”