With a growing national profile in both football and men’s basketball, Coastal Carolina University has attracted the attention of the Sun Belt Conference as the league with a footprint throughout the southeast considers further expansion.

Chanticleers athletic director Matt Hogue confirmed Thursday that the Sun Belt had initiated contact with the university in recent weeks and that dialogue is ongoing between the two sides, but he tempered the depth of those talks.

“We’ve been contacted and we’ve had some discussion and that’s really the extent at this point,” Hogue said. “That’s where we are. We can acknowledge that they have contacted us, and certainly our stance has always been we would explore any opportunities that are presented to us.”

Coastal Carolina President David DeCenzo was unavailable for comment.