An accelerated transition
When the news arrived in February that Sacramento State's elevation to the top tier of college football would come a year earlier than expected—thanks to an invitation from the Mid-Atlantic Conference—coach Alonzo Carter broke into a familiar routine. He performed the 'Return of the Mack' dance for his players, a nod to his years as a backup dancer and choreographer for MC Hammer.
But the celebration was brief. Carter had been on the job for about two months, and with the move from the Championship Subdivision to the Bowl Subdivision now set for the 2026 season, he faced a shortened timeline that would have taken a full year to build.
'It was post signing day, post portal period closing so it was a little surprise,' Carter said. 'We knew there was a possibility, but we figured we'd have a year to build it. But once it sunk in and it was going to be '26, I went back to my players and told them, "Hey man, we're playing this now."'
From dancer to coach
Coaching is Carter's second nature, but dance remains part of his story. As a former backup dancer and choreographer for the legendary rap star MC Hammer, Carter spent more than three decades in football, rising from high school and junior college head coach near his hometown of Oakland to assistant roles at San Jose State and Arizona.
Carter said the lessons from his touring days have carried over to his coaching career, and he looks forward to having MC Hammer attend some games this season.
'I'm very thankful for having MC Hammer in my life,' Carter said. 'A lot of people go how do you go from dancing to coaching? Well, he gave me a lot of responsibility then. He put me in a leadership position, leadership role. Just watching his work ethic, seeing how he moved day to day becoming one of the all time best in the history of hip hop.'
Building on recent success
Sacramento State enters the FBS after a stretch of strong FCS results, including three Big Sky Conference titles and four playoff appearances from 2019 through 2023. Last season, the Hornets went 7-5 under coach Brennan Marion, who departed for the offensive coordinator role at Colorado.
Carter inherits a roster with a handful of returning starters and a quality squad of newcomers, including quarterback Carson Conklin, who spent last season as a backup at Fresno State. The program is also supported by roughly $7 million in NIL funding and a stadium of about 22,000 fans. Enrollment stands around 32,000, up nearly 7% since 2014.
'We've got a great foundation,' Carter said, pointing to the support from the school and community as the transition unfolds.
Athletic director Mark Orr expressed confidence in Carter's ability to navigate the change.
'He's a much better football coach than he is a dancer, and I believe he's the right man for this transition,' Orr said.
New conference, new challenges
The move to the MAC brings a substantial shift in travel. The Hornets will take four long road trips to the Midwest, beginning with the season opener at Eastern Michigan this Saturday. Other Hornets sports will compete closer to home in the Big West, where 10 California schools plus Utah Valley share the region.
Orr described the FBS elevation as selective, telling reporters that the sports realm is 'by invitation,' and that the MAC aligns with the university's mission. The move also places Sacramento State in the mix for up to two midweek 'MACtion' games in November broadcast on ESPN, along with three other nationally televised contests, including the Sept. 19 matchup against North Dakota State also on ESPN.
Under the reworked NCAA rule, Sacramento State is bowl eligible immediately. The team's most recent bowl appearance was a loss to Grambling State in the 1968 bowl, meaning a new bowl berth would break a long dry spell.
Players embrace the spotlight
Players sense the momentum. Running back Jamar Curtis is eager to play in the EA Sports college football video game, calling it a 'dream' and 'exciting.'
Linebacker Derek Houston said the campus has seen a different buzz since the announcement.
'People get excited about the FBS label,' Houston said. 'People get excited about something like this.'
The transition isn't without uncertainty. Sacramento State could find itself in the mix for the College Football Playoff berth, along with significant exposure and financial opportunities, but those remain projections. For now, the Hornets turn their attention to the trip to Eastern Michigan and the rhythm of a new conference.
As the team prepares, Carter said he appreciates the support of a community and a university ready for this opportunity.
'It's a great fit for Sacramento State,' Carter said. so we'll get the right people in the future. It's a special place.'