Thumbnail image composite via Instagram: @aztecfootball
For the first time since 1998, San Diego State Football enters a season with a new conference patch on its shoulder and a new level of expectation surrounding the program. The Aztecs officially begin their first season as members of the new Pac-12 this fall.
The SDSU Athletic department held their own mini-Media Day last week. Did you know this?
The almost clandestine event was carried out with not so much as an instagram reel or story that came across our feeds. We can assure you all that it actually did happen however and even though the Sons of Montezuma, the most widely listened to podcast dedicated to Aztecs fans, were not on the guest list—that doesn’t stop us from having an opinion on all that we saw and heard.
Because that’s just what we do.
The lasting vibe we felt after viewing it all is that there is no shortage of confidence inside the department. From head coach Sean Lewis’ vision for building a championship culture to Athletic Director JD Wicker’s challenge to the San Diego community, the message was consistent throughout the day: San Diego State doesn’t just expect to compete, but compete for championships immediately.
Here are our biggest takeaways from SDSU’s Football Media Day.
#6. San Diego State Is Continuing to Invest Like a Power Conference Program
Okay maybe not in the same amounts, but in the same frequency…sort of.
Snapdragon Stadium is a game changer for SDSU Football—let alone all of SDSU. The passion it took to fight for the public site, plan for the future and get the finest college stadium in America built was an incredible undertaking. Aztecs fans should never forget this.
But taking it further, Wicker announced the launch of a new nutrition center & program that will provide every student-athlete with a meal five days a week beginning this fall, a major commitment toward player health and performance.
He also revealed plans for a new in-house broadcast center that will enhance game production while giving student-athletes additional opportunities to create digital content and personal media projects. This is a huge deal in these days & times where so much focus is put on the individual student-athlete ahead of the team. This project allows SDSU to create the framework for our players to take advantage of all they can generate for themselves.
Those additions come alongside a record fundraising year for SDSU Athletics, including nearly $8 million raised toward revenue sharing across all sports. And that is why joining the Pac-12 was so important. It’s about building the infrastructure necessary to compete nationally for years to come.
#5. The Transfer Portal Has Changed Everything
As if we didn’t know this already. El Portal is a beast who’s appetite knows no bounds. The Aztecs have fallen victim to it this past off season losing a few big time players. But when you take a step back and look across the nation, so have all the ‘big boys’ from every conference. No discrimination.
Both Lewis and Wicker acknowledged that building a college football roster has become dramatically different than it was only a few years ago.
Wicker detailed the enormous effort required from admissions, housing, compliance, academics, NIL personnel and athletic staff simply to assemble a roster these days. Lewis said programs can no longer rely solely on recruiting talent—they must recruit, retain and continually develop their players.
To their credit they didn’t complain about the landscape, but both made it clear that adaptation has become one of the program’s greatest strengths. Lewis emphasized, every day is another opportunity to build the program regardless of the outside environment. That focus is huge for SDSU Football long term.
#4. The Pac-12 Means More Than a New Logo
Wicker stressed that simply wearing a Pac-12 logo won’t define their future.
“We’re the Pac-12,” he said repeatedly, rejecting any suggestion that the rebuilt league should be viewed as the “Mountain West 2.0.”
Instead, he believes the conference possesses national brand recognition—and that’s a huge part why Washington State and Oregon State fought so hard to keep hold of that branding and all of it’s assets.
Specifically in football, Lewis emphasized that every opportunity on the schedule now carries greater weight as SDSU works to establish itself among the conference’s championship contenders. There are no cellar dwellers like a San Jose State, Wyoming or New Mexico that we all watched annually. The investment is higher, the stage is bigger and the competition is much stronger.
#3. National Exposure Is About to Increase Dramatically
One of the biggest advantages of joining the Pac-12 may be measured in visibility. Wicker highlighted the conference’s new television partnerships with CBS, CBS Sports Network, The CW and USA Network, noting that every SDSU football game will receive national linear television exposure.
And though the Pac-12’s regionality doesn’t span across as many time zones as some of the other conferences, that doesn’t slow down the league’s visibility that extends far beyond the West Coast.
Instead of competing for attention in regional windows, the Aztecs will regularly appear before audiences across the country on linear TV, creating greater opportunities for recruiting, branding and national recognition.
Now, more people than ever will be watching.
#2. Sean Lewis Believes Culture Will Be the Difference
While schemes and talent usually dominate preseason discussions and random rankings, Lewis repeatedly returned to one subject throughout Media Day: Culture.
Culture is what saved Lewis after a disastrous first season on the Mesa and it’s what has kept his program together after tasting some success. His philosophy centers on daily habits, accountability and creating an environment where players consistently choose discipline over comfort.
Rather than chasing shortcuts, Lewis believes sustained success comes from building trust throughout the locker room and demanding excellence in every aspect of the program. The 2025 season demonstrated that foundation with a 9-4 record and an undefeated home campaign.
Now comes the next challenge—proving that culture can translate into championships in an even more competitive conference.
#1. Winning the Pac-12 Starts With Winning San Diego
Perhaps no message during Media Day was more direct than Wicker’s challenge to the city itself.
After finishing 6-0 at Snapdragon Stadium last season, he challenged fans to help create one of college football’s premier home-field advantages.
Lower ticket prices, expanded game-day experiences, new fan benefits and Snapdragon Stadium itself were all reasons he noted as never being a better time to support the program.
We all saw and heard it last season in the 34-0 victory over CAL-Berkeley— home fan support directly impacts the game. But creating that intimidating home field environment goes beyond just one night in Mission Valley. When the fans truly take ownership of the team and the new stadium, that environment directly improves recruiting and the brand’s perception around the nation.
Lewis has frequently spoken about creating an elite home environment. Wicker believes the next step belongs to the community.
“If we want to stay competitive in the Pac-12 and nationally,” he said, “this town has to step up now and sell Snapdragon out.”
If JD Wicker and Sean Lewis truly believe what they say as much as it came across on media day, the Aztecs 2026 won’t just be a first year in the Pac-12—it could become the season that elevates SDSU into the national conversation for years to come.
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