To be fair, when the events led out to that conference's eventual drop to 13 teams, there wasn't really any point in allowing them to stay in the conference under less than full membership (/as just a football affiliate).
If you read the thread ( a long one I know), I stated very clearly that "it won't make candy good". I think mason could pull it together if given enough time. He will have to compete on the recruiting, which will be tough with Jones in the area. That will be his biggest challenge.