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Edition #1686

December 17, 2025

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Cedarville AD Chris Cross joins the Talkin’ G-MAC Podcast to dive into a number of topics, including Cross noting Cedarville is not for everyone. From daily chapel at 10 AM for nearly two hours to all students being required to have a profession of faith in Christ, Cross believes this creates a special culture of “integrity and competing for a higher purpose and a higher cause.” More: “I say you hire people; you don't hire positions. And again, the people have to fit within your culture and have to fit within the vision that the institution is trying to create. … Then, the most successful teams we've had have had the best culture. So the winning is actually a byproduct of improving the culture within our programs and man, we're in a really good spot right now.” On NIL: “We've got to make sure that we are making decisions that are in the best interest of student athletes. … What's best for Cedarville and what's best for our student-athletes to take advantage of that but still do this in the right way, and make sure that our donor base is in alignment with what we're trying to do? We've got a different set of conservative donors at Cedarville, and not all would agree with the NIL to make sure we're in that space that's relevant for our donor base, which has been a struggle.” As for facilities, Cedarville has built nine buildings in the last decade, with four in construction now, in addition to a new golf facility for athletics and a new press box coming soon. More. (link)

From last month’s Legislation Committee meeting, the group adopted legislation to exempt basketball contests from region challenge events against out-of-region opponents starting in 2026-27. The committee also asked the Management Council to request feedback from the connection group for athletic trainers about “whether the limit of four hours per week on team activities outside of the playing season is still appropriate.” Also: “The committee received an update on a legislative audit conducted by the Division I governance and member services staff of the 2024-25 NCAA Division I Manual due to the approval of the House settlement. Specifically, staff led the committee through a review of the chart outlining potential concepts and identified the potential impact on Division II legislation.” (link)

The Aspen Institute’s State of Play 2025 report finds that youth sports participation has effectively recovered from the pandemic, with 55.4% of children ages 6-17 playing organized sports in 2023, an increase from 53.8% in 2022 and the highest rate since 2019. However, the costs associated with youth sports have skyrocketed, rising a whopping 46% since 2019, exacerbating significant access gaps between income levels. Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) data from 2024 indicates a 6% YoY uptick in overall participation for ages 6-17, though regular participation among teenagers (13-17) continues to decline. The federal government has a national public health goal for youth sports participation to reach 63% by 2030, and the State of Play report found that “progress was made as 14 states and the District of Columbia reached the 63% mark – Vermont (72%), South Dakota (69%), New Hampshire (68%), Massachusetts (65%), Iowa (65%), Minnesota (65%), Washington D.C. (65%), Colorado (65%), North Dakota (64%), Nebraska (64%), Rhode Island (63%), Wyoming (63%), Maine (63%), Hawaii (63%) and Montana (63%). Kansas, Wisconsin and Illinois were within one percentage point of 63%. Overall, 34 states increased their participation in 2023. On a per-sport basis, golf, tennis and flag football were the only sports whose participation increased from five years ago. Flag football saw a 14% jump among kids age 6-17 and boys' high school volleyball participation grew 13% in 2024-25. Sports with the biggest fall among 13-17 year olds from five years ago were swimming, wrestling, track & field, cheerleading, ice hockey and lacrosse. Lots more in the full report. (link)

It’s Personnel…
➤ Allen did not renew the contract for President Ernest McNealey after leading the university since 2017. (link)
➤ Indianapolis Senior Assoc. AD for Development Matt Donovan will retire on Friday after more than three decades with the university. (link)
➤ Emporia State Senior Assoc. AD/SWA Colleen Mischke is no longer with the Hornets. (link)

Football Files…
➤ West Liberty hires California (PA) OC Chad Salisbury as its new Football HC. (link)
➤ Winona State removes the interim tag from Football HC Brian Curtin. (link)
➤ Incoming-DII Texas A&M-Texarkana will hire UTEP (DI) AC Joshua Eargle as its first Football HC as the Eagles will first take the field in 2027. (link)
➤ Clark Atlanta parts ways with Football HC Teddy Keaton. (link)
➤ Southwestern Oklahoma State signs Football HC Andrew Rice to a three-year contract extension. (link)
➤ Upper Iowa Football HC Jason Hoskins inks a contract that would keep him with the Peacocks through 2028. (link)

Deal Digest…
➤ West Liberty teams up with WinWon to streamline its athletic operations. (link)
➤ The NE10 partners with Athletic Solutions to provide NIL Locker Rooms for all student-athletes. (link)
➤ Pitt-Johnstown partners with Diamond Pass to shift to online ticketing. (link)
➤ FloSports is expanding its motorsports footprint with the acquisition of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) from Lucas Oil Products. (link)

Coaches.wire…
➤ Bentley hires Simmons (DIII) Softball HC Brook Capello for the same role leading the Falcons. (link)
➤ Colorado State Pueblo Women’s Golf HC Tammy Lim steps down after more than three seasons at the helm. Athletics Development and External Relations Officer/former Football HC John Wristen will serve as Interim HC for this season. (link)
➤ Minot State taps North Texas (DI) AC Erik Stevens as its new Track & Field HC. (link); Beavers Women's Volleyball HC Alex Courtney departs for the same position at Oklahoma Panhandle State (NAIA). (link)
➤ Saint Anselm selects Maine-Farmington (DIII) Softball HC Alyssa Williamson for the same role. (link)
➤ St. Cloud State Women’s Soccer HC Gretta Macdonald departs for the same role at St. Thomas (DI). (link)
➤ Thomas Jefferson names Delaware (DI) Assoc. HC Ryan Hurley as its new Women’s Rowing HC. (link)
➤ Thirty different sports had coaching staff movement this week, check out the full list in this morning’s edition of Coaches.wire. (link)

Warner Bros. Discovery's board unanimously rejected Paramount Skydance's hostile $30-per-share all-cash takeover bid, valued at $108.4B, in favor of a competing proposal from Netflix, which WBD Chair Samuel Di Piazza termed "superior" and more certain. While Paramount CEO David Ellison argued his offer provides better value and regulatory prospects, the WBD board expressed concern over the financing structure, noting the absence of a direct backstop from the Ellison family and the recent exit of Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners. Netflix's cash-and-stock proposal, valued at an equity value of $72B, would acquire WBD’s streaming and studio assets while spinning off its cable networks, as reported previously, and Netflix Co-CEO Greg Peters maintains that “our deal structure is clean, it’s certain, we’re a scaled company. … We’ve got a strong investment-grade balance sheet. He similarly dismissed antitrust questions, arguing that the share of U.S. TV viewership is still competitive and that the audiences for Netflix and HBO Max streaming services are complementary. “We have a good case, and we believe that we should defend that case and make that case strongly.” Ellison, meanwhile, indicates in a statement that “I have been encouraged by the feedback we have received from WBD shareholders who clearly understand the benefits of our offer. We will continue to move forward to deliver this transaction, which is in the best interest of WBD shareholders, consumers, and the creative industries.” (link)

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(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)

(NEW!) Women’s Flag Football Head Coach (Newberry College / Newberry, SC): Newberry College (NCAA D2) seeks qualified applicants for Women’s Flag Football Head Coach. More details HERE.

(NEW!) Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance (University of Texas at Dallas / Richardson, TX): The Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance reports directly to the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and assists in the responsibility for institutional control of NCAA Compliance. More details HERE.

Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts (Texas Christian University / Fort Worth, TX): This position is responsible for supporting the philanthropic revenue growth of TCU Athletics. The primary focus is on cultivating and soliciting donors for commitments of $100,000+. (DI) More details HERE.

Assistant Track & Field Coach (University of Illinois Springfield / Springfield, IL): UIS is ready to expand its track & field program beyond to focus on distance and is looking for a coach to lead the campaign to recruit and coach sprinters and jumpers to the program. More details HERE.

Head Coach Women's Volleyball (Westminster University / Salt Lake City, UT): The head coach for the Westminster University Women’s Volleyball program is responsible for oversight, leadership, recruitment/retention, student-athlete experience, and fostering a winning culture. More details HERE.

Head Women's Soccer Coach (Shepherd University / Shepherdstown, WV): The successful candidate will be responsible for the organization, supervision and administration of an NCAA Division II intercollegiate women’s soccer program and department assigned duties. More details HERE.

Associate AD for Budget and Planning/Chief Operating Officer (Fort Hays State University / Hays, KS): Provide visionary leadership to all areas of departmental internal operations. Liaison with areas across campus. Articulate and execute the department's strategic plan in a fiscally sound manner. More details HERE.

Associate/Assistant Director of Athletics - Revenue Innovation & Advancement (Fort Hays State University / Hays, KS): Provide strategic leadership in all areas of revenue generation. Solicit support from various areas (sponsors, donors, alumni, etc.). Oversee staff planning and execution of major fundraising events. More details HERE.

Assistant Women's Volleyball Coach (Western Colorado University / Gunnison, CO): Western Colorado University invites applications for the full-time position of Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach. More details HERE.

Assistant Women's and Men's Golf Coach (University of Illinois Springfield / Springfield, IL): The successful candidate can build a coaching portfolio by assisting with the golf program in 2026-27 while enrolled in a master's degree and living in a campus apartment, if available. More details HERE.

Head Volleyball Coach (Fort Hays State University / Hays, KS): Organize, develop, recruit and administer all functions of a D-II Women’s Volleyball program funded for national success. Other VB staff positions are FT Assistant and Grad Assistant. More details HERE.

Women's Flag Football Head Coach (University of Illinois Springfield / Springfield, IL): Great opportunity to build a new women's flag football program, planning to compete in the spring 2027 season! Join our team of high achievers and build something special! More details HERE.

Assistant Football Coach - Defense (Grand Valley State University / Allendale, MI): Join the 17-time Learfield Director's Cup winning GVSU Laker Athletics department anchored in the relentless pursuit of greatness. Laker Football has two openings for an Assistant Coach. More details HERE.

Commissioner (Horizon League / Indianapolis, IN): Reporting to the Board of Presidents, the Commissioner works closely with the Chancellors/Presidents and Athletic Directors of the member institutions to advance the mission and vision of the League. (DI) More details HERE.

Head Women's Flag Football Coach (Missouri Southern State University / Joplin, MO): The Head Women’s Flag Football Coach oversees all aspects of the flag football program, including teaching, coaching, training, performance, and recruitment of student-athletes. More details HERE.

Athletics Communication Coordinator (Western Colorado University / Gunnison, CO): Western Colorado University invites applications for the full-time position of Athletics Communication Coordinator. More details HERE.

Associate Director of Club Sports (Southwest Baptist University / Bolivar, MO): This role provides strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and hands-on engagement with SBU’s growing Club Sports program. More details HERE.

Assistant Coach, Volleyball (Upper Iowa University / Fayette, IA): This position will report directly to the Volleyball HC and is responsible for assisting in the planning, directing, and evaluating of a successful volleyball program. Go Peacocks! More details HERE.

Assistant Athletics Coach II, Softball (Florida Gulf Coast University / Fort Myers, FL): The Assistant Athletics Coach II, Softball assists with all activities related to the Softball program including recruitment, player development, monitoring academic performance, and discipline. (DI) More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Trainer (Emporia State University / Emporia, KS): Emporia State University Intercollegiate Athletics is seeking an Assistant Athletic Trainer. More details HERE.

Head Coach - Women's Volleyball (Lake Superior State University / Sault Sainte Marie, MI): Seeking a dynamic Head Volleyball Coach to lead and empower women while elevating LSSU VB as our university grows and transforms within Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula in a blended NCAA D1/D2 model. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletics Director, Eagles Club (Florida Gulf Coast University / Fort Myers, FL): The Assistant Athletics Director will provide strategic leadership for the Eagles Club, which includes Annual Giving and special events for FGCU Athletics. (DI) More details HERE.

Assistant Men's Soccer Coach (University of Illinois Springfield / Springfield, IL): Join the storied UIS Men’s Soccer program, supporting player development, recruiting, on-field strategy, and off-field mentorship within the demanding GLVC environment. More details HERE.

Head Volleyball Coach (Bethany College / Lindsborg, KS): Seeking an enthusiastic leader ready to rebuild & elevate our volleyball program. The Head Coach is responsible for shaping a dynamic team culture while leading & managing all aspects of the program. (NAIA) More details HERE.

Senior Associate AD for Internal Operations - Compliance (University of Indianapolis / Indianapolis, IN): The Senior Associate AD for Internal Operations and Compliance for internal operations and compliance provides senior level leadership and support to the internal operations and athletic department. More details HERE.

Athletics Groundskeeper (Florida Gulf Coast University / Fort Myers, FL): The Athletics Groundskeeper is responsible for maintenance and care of the fields and surrounding grounds at the Outdoor Athletic Complexes. (DI) More details HERE.

Assistant Field Hockey Coach (Ball State University / Muncie, IN): Provide teaching and instruction to student-athletes; perform duties in all areas of the program at the direction of the head coach, athletic director, or sport supervisor. (DI) More details HERE.

Head Football Coach (Northwestern Oklahoma State University / Alva, OK): Lead an NCAA Division II football program in the Great American Conference, overseeing recruiting, staff, culture, and game-day performance. More details HERE.

Head Football Coach (Savannah State University / Savannah, GA): The head football coach is responsible for all phases of the football program including recruitment of prospective student-athletes, game preparation and strategy, supervision of assistant coaches. More details HERE.

Head Football Coach (Northern Michigan University / Marquette, MI): NMU invites applications for the position of Head Football Coach, a 12-month, full-time position responsible for providing leadership, vision, and direction for all aspects of the program. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Trainer, Department of Athletics (R0008357) (Wake Forest University / Winston-Salem, NC): Performs a variety of functions in the care, prevention, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries for student-athletes through an existing Sports Medicine program. (DI) More details HERE.

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