College sports reporter

Jon Wilner

Jon Wilner has been covering college sports for decades and is an AP top-25 football and basketball voter as well as a Heisman Trophy voter. He was named Beat Writer of the Year in 2013 by the Football Writers Association of America for his coverage of the Pac-12, won first place for feature writing in 2016 in the Associated Press Sports Editors writing contest and is a five-time APSE honoree.

Texas State wide receiver Jaden Williams (0) breaks away from North Texas safety Jayden Hill (21) after catching a pass during the first half of the First Responder Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Jon Wilner: Texas State’s addition ends Pac-12’s long Lone Star pursuit

June 30, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.

A quest that began four commissioners ago was completed Monday when the Bobcats accepted an invitation from the rebuilt Pac-12 to join the conference next summer as the eighth all-sports...

Texas State invited to join San Diego State, others in reconstituted Pac-12

June 27, 2025 at 3:06 p.m.

The Bobcats are expected to accept, but not until next week

SDSU players huddle up before their game against Wyoming at Viejas Arena on Feb. 1. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Jon Wilner: Winners, losers easy to define after landmark House settlement

June 8, 2025 at 2:28 a.m.

So-called “basketball schools,” attorneys among the big winners Friday’s ruling, which means schools can share revenue with athletes starting on July 1.

Stanford head football coach Troy Taylor works the sidelines during a game against Cal Poly, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Stanford, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Stanford fires football coach Troy Taylor, seeks 'reset' for program

March 25, 2025 at 12:51 p.m.

Taylor had two losing seasons and was disciplined for poor behavior toward female staff members.

Colorado mascot Ralphie runs the field before the start of an NCAA college football game between USC and Colorado during the second half of an NCAA football game in Boulder, Colo., Friday, Nov. 4, 2011. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

West Coast recruiting: Colorado targets high school prospects, UCLA’s big flip, success for Arizona and Oregon State

November 1, 2024 at 9:36 p.m.

The Buffaloes are after top recruits and other schools are following suit.

Midseason bowl projections: Expect Oregon to qualify for College Football Playoff, CU to make Holiday Bowl

October 15, 2024 at 3:47 p.m.

The same Pac-12 schools that competed in the conference for years will participate in the same collection of bowls as in the past.

Gonzaga’s Anton Watson shoots as UCLA’s Kenneth Nwuba defends during the second half of their Maui Invitational fifth-place game on Wednesday night in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)

Pac-12 adds Gonzaga to growing league

October 1, 2024 at 2:14 p.m.

The Bulldogs would be a natural hoops rival for San Diego State.

Pac-12 initiates lawsuit against Mountain West over poaching penalty

September 24, 2024 at 3:04 p.m.

The dramatic move comes against a Darwinian backdrop in which the Pac-12, decimated by the departure of the 10 universities, is attempting to rebuild with schools from the Mountain West.

San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson (1) and teammates celebrate a touchdown against the Texas A&M-Commerce during their game at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Jon Wilner: Plan to add SDSU, 3 others to Pac-12 was first floated a year ago

September 16, 2024 at 3:57 p.m.

Former commissioner George Kliavkoff did not pursue backup option after USC, UCLA and Four Corners schools bolted.

People take pictures with the Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas sign under hazy orange skies as the sun sets in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 29, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

Pac-12 expansion: Which two schools should the conference add (to meet NCAA minimum)?

September 12, 2024 at 8:21 a.m.

Memphis and UTSA are atop the Hotline's list of potential additions for the Pac-12, although luring them away from the American could prove difficult.

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