Edition #1806
October 7, 2026
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Trevecca Nazarene FAR/Assoc. Professor of Management Jonathan Burch will succeed AD Mark Elliott in leading the Trojans, per TrevEchoes’ Maven McGregory, who adds: “Elliott said he first approached Burch about the possibility of becoming director of athletics about a year and a half ago. He and Burch planned the transition before Elliott formally announced his retirement. Elliot and Burch worked on a transition plan that allows him to take over gradually until Elliott’s retirement in July.” President Dan Boone: “We’ve known Jon for most of his life here. He was an athlete at Trevecca, who had the kind of academic experience that led him to postgraduate degrees to come back as a business professor, teaching in our graduate business program. He has loved Trevecca Athletics from the time that he was a student to where he is today as a parent of one of our students and as the faculty athletics representative. So, the whole idea that we would have to go find somebody new and hope that they fit, Jon resolved all of that.” (link)
After receiving strong support from the DII CCA and DII ADA, the Championships Committee is recommending Management Council implement a new policy requiring teams in all sports that use NPI play at least one in-region, nonconference competition to be eligible for at-large selections. “In football, the requirement would be one nonconference contest only, without the in-region component.” If approved, the policy would go into effect in 2027-28, with a waiver process available for those who cannot meet the requirement due to scheduling complications. (link)
The U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado denied plaintiffs’ motion in the Moore case seeking an expedited hearing and ruled their motion for a preliminary injunction and class certification significantly overlap with the Wisne case, meaning the court will wait to see how the case is resolved. The NCAA also filed for a motion to dismiss earlier this week. (link, link)
More from Florida Southern AD Drew Howard and Indianapolis AD Kim Pate on the CSC Voices, Beyond the Scoreboard podcast on changes in their sports communications staffs. Here are some of their notable comments…
➤ Pate on differentiating content and storytelling: “We realized that we needed to separate ourselves, differentiate ourselves, and winning's great and people care about it, but I think people want to connect with people. So we've really focused on how we differentiate ourselves and how we tell the story around our student athletes and really getting to the people aspect of it.”
➤ Howard on deploying four full-time sports communicators to diversify media output: “We try to meet our folks where they are. We have such a unique audience at Florida Southern. We have, as you would expect in Florida, a large group of older folks who maybe are not spending a lot of time on Instagram or X or any of those things. So we really try to diversify how we tell the story. And we're fortunate. We have four full-time sports information folks. … We try really hard to meet our folks where they are, share the stories they want to hear about in a variety of mediums, but really hunt down and really get after those stories when time allows.” (link)
Northwest Missouri State leaders chatted with the Northwest Missourian’s Olivia Wallace about how the department is incorporating AI into its operations and the use of FanWord to assist its sports communications staff. Here are some notable comments…
➤ AD Andy Peterson: “It’s like anything else you put out though, you just have to make sure it’s accurate number one. It’s also portraying your brand in a way that everybody can be proud of. I think that’s maybe where some of the angst and stink has come from, is you don’t want to put a photo out there of a six fingered quarterback and the paw upside down.”
➤ Asst. AD for Media Relations Colin McDonough, who is using FanWord to save hours writing post-game recaps: “I would say I have grown to like it. I was coming out from a strong journalism background. I was always kind of against AI and things that were not generated by me or my office — that was much different.”
➤ How’s Women’s Basketball HC Austin Meyer using AI? “It’s very helpful. I feel like if you use it for the right things, you know, I feel like you can waste a lot of time using it, but if you use it for the right thing, I just like it for messages to recruits where I can talk into it, and it can help organize. Obviously, if you use it just strictly for everything, it’s probably not going to be effective.” (link)
Can college football programs manage the risks associated with utilizing AI? The Athletic’s Austin Meek seeks to answer that question with coaching staffs across the country now leveraging AI tools to optimize game preparation, roster management and athletic performance. Nebraska (DI) Football HC Matt Rhule began implementing Claude Code to analyze the Huskers’ practice schedules, game scripts, travel itineraries and practice GPS data to flag inefficiencies, such as play calls practiced repeatedly but rarely used in games. Florida (DI) operates an AI-Powered Athletics initiative using its HiPerGator computing environment to analyze over a trillion data points from its Athletics Databank, including GPS, neuromuscular performance and injury metrics, to predict injury risks and guide recovery. In addition to player tracking, Nebraska Assistant AD for Strategic Intelligence Sean Padden also utilizes ChatGPT to transform raw data from Championship Analytics into digestible narrative game strategy books for coaches. However, Victory Cybersecurity Consulting Founder Travis Whitesel warns programs of cybersecurity risks, advising staff not to input sensitive data into public platforms and that human oversight remains essential when handling AI outputs. Padden adds: “It will flat-out lie to you. It can be a wizard, but it can be a drunk wizard. You have to check the work.” (link)
People & Places…
➤ Colorado Colorado Springs Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet will retire at the end of this academic year. (link)
➤ Goldey-Beacom Assoc. AD for Academic Affairs/Women’s Basketball HC/SWA Bethann Burke is headed to SUNY Maritime (DIII) as its new AD. (link)
Sport Sponsorship…
➤ Assumption will add women’s flag football starting in 2027-28. (link)
➤ Saint Leo will bring back men’s and women’s swimming as a club sport in 2027-28 before elevating it to DII in 2028-29. Manager of Aquatics and Fitness Megan O’Reilly will serve as the program’s inaugural HC. (link)
➤ Westminster (UT) will add club women’s flag football as a fully funded university program. (link)
Deal Corner…
➤ The RMAC inks a one-year deal with Jostens to be its exclusive championship jewelry provider. (link)
➤ Augusta partners with Savannah River Brewing Co. to concoct the AU-branded Bell Tower Blonde Ale. (link)
➤ Fortify College Athletics has re-engaged College.town to broadcast their experience in compliance, operations and more with the D1.ticker and D2.ticker audiences. (link)
Coaches Corner…
➤ Christian Brothers Track & Field HC Jourdan Doffeny will return to his alma mater, Northern Illinois (DI) as its Women’s Track & Field HC. (link)
➤ Point Park hires former President of the Franklin Regional Wrestling Organization Andrew Spears as its Women’s Wrestling HC. (link)
➤ Sonoma State selects Saint Martin’s Men’s Basketball HC Aaron Landon as its new HC to lead the upstart Seawolves starting in 2027. The Saints promote Assoc. HC Tyler Velasquez to HC. (link, link)
Kentucky State women’s basketball student-athlete Aminata Seck will be released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after weeks in custody. (link)
More on American International’s show cause from the New England Commission of Higher Education, as the college is projecting a $17.1M operating loss through FY28 and AIC has fully tapped an $8M line of credit. President Nicolle Cestero tells MassLive’s Juliet Schulman-Hall that net tuition has grown $4M, adding: “Looking to the coming months, the College is taking further measures to secure its future, including an accelerated strategic plan implementation, full review of programmatic and operational infrastructure and additional engagement with philanthropic and community partners.” (link)
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(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)
(NEW!) Director, Governance and Compliance (Mountain West Conference / Las Vegas, NV): The Director, Governance & Compliance will serve the Mountain West Conference and its member institutions supporting the day-to-day aspects of the Conference’s governance and compliance services. (DI) More details HERE.
(NEW!) Assistant Softball Coach (Quincy University / Quincy, IL): Quincy University, an NCAA Division II institution and member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, invites applications for the position of Assistant Softball Coach. More details HERE.
Coordinator of Internal Operations (Kutztown University of Pennsylvania / Kutztown, PA): The Coordinator for Internal Operations, Athletics position is a full-time 10-month position within the Department of Athletics. More details HERE.
Aquatics and Facilities Coordinator (Black Hills State University / Spearfish, SD): This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated professional who enjoys leadership, event operations, facility management, and collaboration in a dynamic collegiate athletics environment. More details HERE.
Deputy Director of Athletics, Title IX Coordinator (California State University – San Marcos / San Marcos, CA): Come join an amazing NCAA DII institution competing in the CCAA conference who values the student-athlete experience, academics, athletics, and the holistic development of our student-athletes. More details HERE.
Assistant Vice President, Licensing & Trademarks (University of Houston / Houston, TX): Lead the University of Houston System's licensing & trademarks strategy, protecting institutional brands and driving revenue through high-impact partnerships and innovative licensing programs. (DI) More details HERE.
Faculty | Athletic Training/Kinesiology (University of Mary / Bismarck, ND): The Assistant Professor is responsible for teaching assigned courses, advising students, advising research projects, maintaining/obtaining contemporary expertise, and other duties as assigned. More details HERE.
IPP Strength and Conditioning Program Specialist (University of North Georgia / Dahlonega, GA): This position directs and coordinates the University's strength and conditioning program to support the physical readiness and tactical durability for the Corps of Cadets. More details HERE.
Vice President and Director of Athletics (Rice University / Houston, TX): Rice seeks a strategic athletics leader to drive championship success, strengthen student-athlete experiences, grow revenue, elevate Rice nationally, and navigate college athletics’ evolving landscape. (DI) More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Houston? Click HERE. The D1.dossier for this position can be found HERE.
Senior Vice President - Men's Basketball (Atlantic Coast Conference / Charlotte, NC): Senior leader for ACC Men’s Basketball, driving competitive success, national profile, championship experience and commercial value while overseeing scheduling, officiating and key partnerships. (DI) More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Charlotte? Click HERE.
Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications (Lawrence University / Appleton, WI): This position plays a key role in elevating the visibility of Lawrence Athletics through strategic media relations, digital content creation, live streaming management, and statistical services. (DIII) More details HERE.
Live Video Production Coordinator (Black Hills State University / Spearfish, SD): Join an energetic team to enhance fan engagement and student-athlete experience through exceptional game-day productions and digital storytelling. More details HERE.
Athletics Business Associate (University of Illinois Springfield / Springfield, IL): Lead the business and HR operations for athletics, including providing insight into budgets, policies and staff hiring. Serves on senior staff. Has opportunity for athletics administration duties. More details HERE.
Athletic Trainer (University of Kansas / Lawrence, KS): Kansas Team Health and University of Kansas Athletics are seeking qualified candidates to work as part of a medical model and collaborative team while providing care for our Track & Field Program. (DI) More details HERE.
Commissioner (Southern Conference / Spartanburg, SC): Reporting to the Council of Presidents, the Commissioner serves as the Conference's chief executive officer, providing strategic, administrative, and external leadership for member institutions. (DI) More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Spartanburg? Click HERE.
Associate Athletic Trainer Instructor – Department of Kinesiology (St. Edward's University / Austin, TX): The Associate Athletic Trainer position will work in conjunction with the Head Athletic Trainer to coordinate the care of student-athletes on a day-to-day basis. More details HERE.
Assistant Athletic Trainer (St. Edward's University / Austin, TX): The Athletic Trainer position will work in conjunction with the Head Athletic Trainer to coordinate the care of student athletes on a day-to-day basis. More details HERE.
Director of Sports Performance (University of North Georgia / Dahlonega, GA): . The director will lead a high-performance environment that supports the development, health and success of all UNG student-athletes. More details HERE.
Athletic Event & Facility Operations Specialist (Fort Hays State University / Hays, KS): The Athletic Events and Facilities Specialist assists with maintaining & preparing facilities to ensure a safe, clean, & professional environment for student-athletes, staff, & spectators. More details HERE.
Part-Time Assistant Swim Coach (Pennwest - California / California, PA): The assistant coach, in collaboration with the Head Swim Coach assists in the direction and administration of the program in a manner that reflects the athletics’ department program goals. More details HERE.
Assistant Athletic Trainer (University of Texas at Dallas / Richardson, TX): UT Dallas seeks two experienced and energetic athletic trainers who provide education, assessment, treatment and prevention services for athletic-related injuries and illnesses to student-athletes. More details HERE.
Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications (Southeastern Conference / Birmingham, AL): The Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications will provide strategic leadership for the Southeastern Conference’s communication efforts. (DI) More details HERE.
Head Athletic Trainer (Jessup University / Rocklin, CA): Will serve student-athletes, and athletic depart.; oversee the day to day operations of athletic training facility and the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries! More details HERE.
Director of Athletic Communications (Jessup University / Rocklin, CA): The purpose of the Director of Athletic Communications is to oversee and lead the communications and marketing efforts of the athletic department, through both print and digital means. More details HERE.
Assoc. Athletic Trainer (Jessup University / Rocklin, CA): The Associate Athletic Trainer and performs essential athletic training duties and functions to ensure the health and safety of Jessup student-athletes. More details HERE.
Head Men's Volleyball Coach (Jessup University / Rocklin, CA): The Head Coach is responsible for instructing, initiating, developing, and leading a consistently competitive athletic program, including recruiting, scheduling, training, and coaching team members. More details HERE.
Women's Lacrosse Assistant Coach (Northern Michigan University / Marquette, MI): Assist the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach with all assigned duties associated with the intercollegiate women's lacrosse program. More details HERE.