Edition #1466
October 28, 2026
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Alverno announces former MSOE AD Brian Miller as its new AD starting November 2. (link)
The DIII Presidents Council has decided to take no position on the age-based eligibility proposal. “The council signaled the value of delegates referring the proposal back to the governance structure at the 2027 NCAA Convention in January to allow more time to study the issue and potentially develop a proposal that best suits Division III’s needs. It also noted that a referral provides an opportunity to observe the implications of the legislation adopted by Divisions I and II.” The council accepted the Management Council recommendations to support the proposal addressing council vacancies and oppose the spring football practice period proposal. The council approved nominees to join the Preisdents and Management Councils, as “Division III members will have an opportunity to vote on the new nominees in early November.” More on referrals from the DIII Analysis Working Group…
➤ “Regarding Model 2035, the council supports a forward-looking analysis of the division’s membership and will consider the impact of the expected closings/consolidations of Division III schools, Division I and II institutions that may reclassify to Division III for conference affiliation, other changes to the Division III membership, the division’s legislative membership standards and possible membership segmentation.”
➤ “During its January meeting, it will consider options on extending the chair’s term from one to two years.” (link)
NCAA President Charlie Baker appeared on The Hoops HQ Show with Seth Davis and Andy Katz to discuss legal battles over the five-in-five eligibility rule, upcoming TV negotiations and more. Key takeaways…
➤ Preparing early for upcoming media rights negotiations: “The big thing we need to do with respect to both the ESPN deal and the Skydance deal … is we need to start thinking about that now, because there are all kinds of deals that are coming up over the course of the next five years or so that involve all sorts of sports. The world associated with this is way bigger than it was when this thing was originally negotiated. ... I think you can expect us to probably put together a working group to start talking about how this should work certainly in the next 12 months, even though it's very far away.”
➤ Drawing audiences to Olympic championships and projecting record volleyball sales: “We had better attendance and better viewership across just about everything in the championship portfolio we've got, and not just in Division I, also in Division II and Division III. I think our fan database is helping with that. ... Our open rate on our emails to people about whether they'd be interested in buying tickets to one of our championships is 55%. That's pretty much unheard of. ... We've sold an extraordinary number of seats already for the volleyball championship, which is in San Antonio. … I think we're probably going to sell more than 30K tickets a night for that Final Four.”
➤ On the June timing of the age-based eligibility policy and subsequent lawsuits: “If you waited until now, there's no doubt in anybody's mind that we would've been sued long before now by people looking for an extra year, simply because the whole idea of an age-based eligibility system with five years of hard eligibility was going to get challenged in the court anyway. ... This idea that there was some magic time at which the membership should have made a decision to move forward on this, I think they probably did the right thing, which is they said, ‘We're probably going to get sued by somebody somewhere anyway for changing the rule. We should probably just make the decision at the point in time in which we decide we actually know what it looks like and how it's going to work and make sure that every class to the extent possible gets what they were promised when they started.’” (link, link)
College.town has released a new CollegeSports.jobs report tracking the college athletics job market, and Division III posted the fastest growth of any division, with postings up 39% through September 26 (334 to 464). The hiring base is widening as well, as 126 D3 schools posted jobs (up from 108), including 57 that hadn’t posted during the same months a year ago. Coaching drives the market at roughly three of every four postings, with head coach openings up 38% (112 to 155) and assistant coach openings up 43%. Administrative hiring remains a smaller slice but is climbing quickly, as student-athlete development (27 to 50), communications (20 to 36), development and fundraising (8 to 25) and sports performance (7 to 30) all posted significant gains, and fundraising responsibilities now appear in 44% of D3 job descriptions. Lots more in the full report, take a look on CollegeSports.jobs. (link)
SBJ’s Ben Fischer takes a look at the growing popularity of women’s flag football, noting the NCAA “will likely vote in January to make it an official championship sport … with the first championship awarded in spring 2028, weeks before the Olympics.” Here’s what you need to know…
➤ NCAA SVP Inclusion, Education and Engagement Felicia Martin confirms that “the demand is real, and you can measure it. It’s being pulled from the high school level, where the participation has grown so much. It’s almost explosive what we’re seeing on the high school level.”
➤ NFL Senior Director of Collegiate Flag Football Development/former Michigan State (DI) AD Alan Haller believes that even larger institutions who are inclined to spend more on tackle football should start flag programs now because “it grows your football ecosystem. It grows your football engagement on campus. This investment can help your tackle football piece and it goes hand in hand.”
➤ Nebraska (DI) AD Troy Dannen believes the Huskers’ flag team will soon be joined by other Power 4 institutions: “Maybe we broke from the gate, but I can tell you just from my conversations with my peers at other Power Four schools, we are not going to be the only one. It’s just a matter of whether it’s a year or two … but this is on a lot of radars right now.” (link)
YD3’s Eli Hershkovich chats with multiple DIII football HCs about the role of the transfer portal, the trickle-down effect from changes in DI and more. Here are some of their most notable comments…
➤ With less than one in four portal entrants finding another home last year, Bethel (MN) HC Mike McElroy: “I think so much of it is educating these guys. For most [vying to transfer], it’s, ‘It didn’t go my way,’ ‘I picked a school on a whim,’ or ‘I didn’t do enough research.’ Gosh, we’ve created a bit of chaos for ourselves. How do you educate these guys so we don’t get to that?”
➤ North Central (IL) HC Brad Spencer adds: “When you have some extra in your bank account, and you’re going to get a little bit of a signing bonus, it looks like a lot of money. Are you going there to play and win a championship, or are you going there just to get a dollar? College is hard. College sports are hard. You’ve got to try and stay somewhere for a bit, get some footing, make some friends, make some relationships and connections.”
➤ John Carroll AD/HC Brian Polian on the impact of DI changes: “Some of the guys we’re recruiting right now would, 10 years ago, most certainly have had scholarships in the MAC. But the problem is the MAC isn’t giving 25 high school scholarships. They’re giving five, and they’re taking 20 guys out of the portal. So it has created this trickle-down of really high-level D3 athletics.” (link)
Cedar Crest cut the ribbon on its new wrestling facility this past weekend as part of $3M in athletics upgrades through the college’s capital campaign. (link)
St. Norbert is set to officially open its new Donald and Patricia Family Arena on Friday when men’s ice hockey hosts Oswego State. The 3K-seat rink will serve as the new home for the Green Knights men’s and women’s teams, with SNC having spent roughly $2M on locker rooms and athletic recovery such as hydrotherapy and a sauna. (link)
Curry will add field hockey as its newest varsity sport starting in 2027. The Colonels will compete as an independent for its first season before joining the CNE in 2028. (link)
The SLIAC selects HomeTown Ticketing as its official online ticket provider. (link)
People & Places…
➤ Cedar Crest Women’s Wrestling HC Alex Depew adds responsibilities as Asst. AD for Capital Projects and Facility Development. (link)
➤ NACDA names Summit Racing Equipment Search and Discovery Engineer Eddie Mitchell as VP, effective November 9. Mitchell will be working primarily in the database, membership and event registration space, eventually replacing 31-year NACDA veteran Brian Horning, who announced plans to retire following the convention in June. (link)
Coaches Corner…
➤ Baldwin Wallace names high school HC Genevieve Duxbury as its new Women’s Wrestling HC. (link)
➤ Christopher Newport taps recent grad Grace Watlington as its new Sailing HC. (link)
➤ Rhodes Football HC Rich Duncan steps down after five seasons leading his alma mater, per FootballScoop’s Scott Roussel. (link)
➤ Ursinus hires Arcadia AC Marcy Quinn as its next Softball HC. (link)
➤ Wisconsin-Platteville selects retired Kohler Hospitality VP of Global Golf and Real Estate/alum Dirk Willias as its next Men’s and Women’s Golf HC. (link)
Interested in advertising a department opening in D3.ticker? Click here to submit your position. Post your department-wide openings with CollegeSports.jobs, where thousands of administrators coaches get news and updates about the world of college sports.
(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)
(NEW!) Intern/Assistant Baseball Coach (Hanover College / Hanover, IN): Seeking dynamic person to assist with management of the program, including scheduling/implementing practices/skill development, team supervision/ops/travel, game prep, recruiting/scouting, & coaching. More details HERE.
(NEW!) Temporary Assistant Tennis Coach, Men's Tennis (Brandeis University / Waltham, MA): The Temporary Assistant Coach will assist the head coach in running a successful men's tennis program which competes as a NCAA Division III program and as a member of the UAA. More details HERE.
(NEW!) Temporary Assistant Tennis Coach, Women's Tennis (Brandeis University / Waltham, MA): The Temporary Assistant Coach assists the head coach in running a successful women's tennis program which competes as a NCAA Division III program and as a member of UAA. More details HERE.
Assistant Softball Coach - Pitching (Franklin & Marshall College / Lancaster, PA): Job Description: The Assistant Softball Coach is responsible for providing effective support for the softball program. More details HERE.
Assistant Coach, Men's and Women's Swimming (New York University / New York, NY): Serve as assistant coach for M/W swimming. In conjunction with the head coach, develop and implement strategies to recruit student athletes; assess the team's future needs. More details HERE.
Public Relations Specialist (Athletics Communications) (Rutgers University - Camden / Camden, NJ): Rutgers University-Camden is seeking a Public Relations Specialist of Athletics for Sports Communications. More details HERE.
Associate Athletic Director for Sports Information and Communication (Colby College / Waterville, ME): The Associate Athletic Director for Sports Information & Communications serves as a senior communications strategist and administrator for the Department of Athletics. More details HERE.
Director of Sport Performance (The Catholic University of America / Washington, DC): Lead strength and conditioning for 25 NCAA DIII and IRA teams, while educating students and coaches and adhering to all rules. More details HERE.
Teaching Professor with Assistant Rank: Media Studies (University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point / Stevens Point, WI): This position focuses heavily on undergraduate teaching in a program that integrates comprehensive technical training with a rigorous critical approach. More details HERE.
Head Tennis Coach (Wabash College / Crawfordsville, IN): The Head Tennis Coach is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and administration of the men’s tennis program. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Crawfordsville? Click HERE.
Head Men's and Women's Bowling Coach (Albion College / Albion, MI): Albion College invites applications for the Head Coach, Men's & Women's Bowling position. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Albion? Click HERE.
Assistant Track and Field Coach -- Throws / Director of Operations (Augustana College – Illinois / Rock Island, IL): Augustana College is seeking a dynamic, enthusiastic, results-oriented coach to work specifically with our throws group and serve as the operations director for home track and field meets. More details HERE.
Staff Assistant - Athletics Equipment & Operations Manager (Fitchburg State University / Fitchburg, MA): The Athletics Equipment & Operations Manager serves as the department's equipment manager and primary home game manager. More details HERE.
Senior Associate Commissioner for Institutional Services (Mid-American Conference / Cleveland, OH): The Mid-American Conference (MAC) is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as Senior Associate Commissioner for Institutional Services. (DI) More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Cleveland? Click HERE.
Assistant Athletic Director for Business Operations (Albany State University / Albany, GA): Help shape the future of Golden Rams Athletics by leading financial operations, strengthening fiscal accountability, and supporting the continued growth of our 12 NCAA Division II programs. (DII) More details HERE.
Director, Sport Performance and Wellness (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – RPI / Troy, NY): Leads sport performance, wellness, and data analytics for RPI Athletics, overseeing strength and conditioning to enhance student-athlete safety, wellbeing & performance, including Division I hockey. More details HERE.
Executive Associate Athletic Director/Director of Athletic Development (Fairfield University / Fairfield, CT): Seeking a dynamic, accomplished, and highly motivated Executive Associate Athletic Director/Director of Athletic Development to lead its athletic fundraising program. (DI) More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Fairfield? Click HERE.
Head Coach, Women's Flag Football (Saint Anselm College / Manchester, NH): Will recruit an inaugural roster, develop the program’s culture, prepare for its first season, and work with Athletics leadership on a competition schedule and operating budget for separate approval. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Manchester? Click HERE.
Head Men's & Women's Cross Country Coach (Trinity College – Connecticut / Hartford, CT): Lead men’s and women’s cross country programs at an NCAA Division III institution in the NESCAC, overseeing recruitment, training, competition, and student-athlete development. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Hartford? Click HERE.
Director of Athletics Media Relations (St. Joseph's University – Brooklyn / Brooklyn, NY): Join us as the lead story teller for 11 varsity teams in a historic neighborhood in Brooklyn in the greatest city in the world. More details HERE.
Men's Assistant Coach (Swarthmore College / Swarthmore, PA): Swarthmore College Men's Lacrosse is hiring an assistant coach. Duties include recruiting, logistics and on field coaching. Send resume to [email protected] More details HERE.
Assistant Director Facilities/Operations and External Rentals (The Catholic University of America / Washington, DC): Support the Assistant AD in managing external facility rentals, DuFour Center operations, student employment, and event management to sustain an active, student-oriented campus environment. More details HERE.
Internal Operations/Facilities and Event Management Graduate Assistant (Fort Hays State University / Hays, KS): Fort Hays State University seeks a graduate assistant for internal operations and event facility management for the athletic department. (DII) More details HERE.
Assistant Director, Athletic Facilities, Equipment & Operations (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – RPI / Troy, NY): Oversees athletic facility operations, staffing, scheduling and maintenance; coordinates ROTC and events; and manages athletic equipment inventory, budgeting, ordering, issuance, laundry, and repairs. More details HERE.
Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving Head Coach (Chatham University / Pittsburgh, PA): The Head Coach is responsible for overseeing assistant coaches, student support staff, and student-athletes. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Pittsburgh? Click HERE.
RIT University Advancement Associate Director (Rochester Institute of Technology / Rochester, NY): The Associate Director builds & advances the prospect pipeline in support of university priorities, with a dedicated focus on Athletics, Parents and Sentinel Society. More details HERE.
Women's Lacrosse Head Coach (Whittier College / Whittier, CA): The Athletics Department at Whittier College is seeking a women's lacrosse head coach. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Whittier? Click HERE.
Associate Athletic Director for Sports Analytics (William & Mary / Williamsburg, VA): The Associate AD for Sports Analytics leads the department's strategy for data, analytics, and artificial intelligence across all 23 varsity sports. (DI) More details HERE.
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.
Associate Athletic Trainer (Spalding University / Louisville, KY): Associate Athletic Trainer - maintain and coordinate a comprehensive sports medicine program, under the leadership of the Head Athletic Trainer. More details HERE.
Assistant Athletic Trainer (Spalding University / Louisville, KY): The full-time Assistant Athletic Trainer will maintain and coordinate a comprehensive sports medicine program for Spalding University athletics under the leadership of the Head Athletic Trainer. More details HERE.
Assistant Director Athletic Communication (Saint Francis University / Loretto, PA): Saint Francis University, a Division III member of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, invites applications for a full time Assistant Director, Athletic Communications. 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.
Coordinator, Athletic Communications (Stevenson University / Owings Mills, MD): Assist the Dir., Athletics Communications with the internal and external media distribution for Stevenson’s Athletics Department, with a primary focus on the department’s video/webcasting efforts. More details HERE.