WashU students cheer for the Bears at Francis Olympic Field (Ella Giere | Class of 2026)

WashU football is changing conferences from the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) to the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) — meaning that, for the first time in eight seasons, the team is facing a whole new slate of opponents. 

Wherever you look, WashU athletics are on the rise. During the 2025-26 school year, WashU added two NCAA Division III National Championship Titles to its repertoire of 29; women’s soccer won its second-straight national title, and women’s track and field won its fourth in the last ten years. The Bears also made 18 playoff appearances and earned five Conference Championship Titles last school year and took home the Learfield Directors’ Cup. WashU football is no exception — while their program doesn’t necessarily contain the star power or command the name recognition of traditional D-I powerhouses, there are several reasons to believe that the Bears’ 2026 football season is certainly something to look forward to. 

While most of WashU’s teams are part of the University Athletic Association (UAA), its football team has played in the CCIW since 2018. 

During its time in the CCIW, WashU football regularly faced conference opponents such as three-time D-III football NCAA champions North Central College, Wheaton College, Illinois Wesleyan University, Augustana College, and Carthage College. WashU remained a steady force at the top half of the conference, compiling a 53-20 record and three bowl game appearances.

After WashU lost its associate membership in the CCIW last year, the school announced a move to the NCAC, beginning in the 2026 school year. NCAC executive director Keri Alexander Luchowski described WashU as an institution that “aligns with the NCAC philosophy of highly competitive athletics within a rigorous academic environment.” 

The NCAC features John Carroll University, Oberlin College, the College of Wooster, Kenyon College, Denison University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Wittenberg University, DePauw University, and Wabash College. 

The Bears are 29-45 all-time against their new conference opponents, but haven’t played an NCAC team since 2012. While an adjustment period is inevitable, the current football roster has both the experience and recent track record to suggest that WashU can compete with the best of the conference sooner rather than later.

Much of WashU football’s recent success has stemmed from the leadership of head coach Aaron Keen. A former WashU quarterback and assistant coach, Keen was named head coach in 2020 and has led the Bears to five consecutive winning seasons during his tenure. 

“Everyone associated with our football program at Washington University is excited about the future and our new conference home,” Keen said.

This year, Keen’s offense will run through rising senior Levi Moore, the Bears’ dual-threat quarterback who led the CCIW in rushing touchdowns last season. Moore and the rest of his young offensive core were prolific throughout the year, leading the Bears to an 8-3 record. 

Now, in Moore’s final year and the Bears’ first season in the NCAC, WashU is looking to make a good first impression against its new conference opponents. Be sure to tune in and watch as the Bears look to establish themselves and potentially clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2016.