College Football: 6 defunct programs we’d like to see reborn
By John Scimeca
2. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Year started: 1892
Last active season: 1941
OK, so this is another basketball-influenced pick here, but hear me out: the Bulldogs would a fun football power to base out of the Pacific Northwest. Consider the signature blue-and-red Bulldog helmets taking the blue turf against Boise State or facing off against Washington and Washington State.
Consider the bloodlines that run through the football program. Hust Stockton was a notable halfback who played in the NFL in the 1920s after playing at Gonzaga. John, his paternal grandson, is a famous NBA player and Zag alumnus of whom you may have heard.
While the Zags wouldn’t have an automatic fit into a conference, unless the Mountain West were to shed a team, it would be ideal (though highly unlikely) to see Idaho jump back to FBS. Throw in a couple other Big Sky schools, plus BYU and New Mexico State, and who knows? You could have a “Big West” reincarnation that could compete with the Mountain West as another Rockies-based non-Power 5 conference. Also, Gonzaga could pull recruits from California, the nation’s most populous state teeming with high school talent.