"D1.relocation was great from the beginning of the process through the end of the process in terms of communication and helping me set up my move. Their ongoing support was very helpful to ensure it was a smooth process in light of how challenging transitions can be." - Kimya Massey, Director of Athletics at the University of San Diego

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Sports without changes since the last edition... Bass Fishing, Beach Volleyball, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Field Hockey, Flag Football, Men's Gymnastics, Women's Gymnastics (+ Acrobatics & Tumbling), Men's Ice Hockey, Women's Ice Hockey, Rifle/Shooting, Rodeo, Rugby, Sailing, Skiing, Sprint Football, Squash, Triathlon, Men's Volleyball, Men's Water Polo, Women's Water Polo, Weightlifting and Women's Wrestling. If we missed one, please let us know by emailing admin@driveandcompany.com. Thank you!

The SEC has “not committed to any particular format” on football scheduling, according to Commissioner Greg Sankey, who kicked off the league’s spring meetings yesterday. ESPN’s Pete Thamel notes that decision is likely a function of the College Football Playoff format and that Sankey “stressed that the so-called 4-4-2-2-1-3 model, which distributes one automatic bid to the non-power leagues and three available at-large bids – one potentially for Notre Dame if it falls within the seeding threshold – has not been decided on in his room.” Sankey: "We'll see how that conversation manifests itself this week and we'll look a little bit more deeply at different ideas, which will put me at some point in a better position to answer those questions. … 16 [teams] has had more traction in my league than anticipated a year ago and…over the last six months, 16 became much more central in conversation. As I said, we’re interested, not committed.” Sankey would like to see the regular season continue to be prioritized irrespective of the new CFP format while keeping postseason hopes alive late into the season. "I think the word 'hope' is at the center, too. How do you bring people into the conversation late in the season in a changing environment, and so the idea of, 'Could you have play-in-type games?' continues to populate itself before you're in the CFP selection. That's about building interest and giving hope. Whether that's the ultimate destination, we'll see. … We're trying to find a format to determine, whatever number it is, the best teams in college football, and I think where we are right now is we have used a political process inside a room to come to decisions about football. We should be using football information to come to football decisions." (link, link)

As SEC leaders gather in Destin for spring meetings, Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger observes this week will be different than many, if not most, of its antecedents: “Back in the day, this thing was four days of mostly monotonous legislative meetings. Lots of golf. Plenty of poolside cocktails. And bunches of beach time. … Nowadays, SEC meetings are three days of intense policy-making discussions oozing with heavy subject matter. There is little to no golf. Few cocktails. And an absence of beach time.” With topics ranging from the College Football Playoff to the House settlement, Dellenger adds that “SEC old-timers believe it to be the most consequential gathering in the history of the conference.” During its meetings last week in Los Angeles, Big Ten administrators solidified their support for the so-called "4-4-2-2-1" CFP format, and the SEC this week has a chance to do the same. And what if they do? “I guess we’re going to war,” says one Big 12 AD. The SEC this week is also expected to discuss the “governance proposal and the possibility of separating football completely out from under the NCAA,” and Dellenger points out that “in an unreported and little-known fact, SEC presidents in March quietly authorized their commissioner, [Greg] Sankey, to split from the NCAA if he deems that the right move.” In examining the future of college sports more broadly, Dellenger asks whether athletic departments will remain under the $20.5M rev-share cap. “Or will they support their booster collectives in flooding the new Deloitte-run NIL clearinghouse with multi-million dollar deals for their athletes as a way to circumvent the cap? Illinois AD Josh Whitman notes: “We have to decide if we want to be governed.” Baylor AD Mack Rhoades adds: “I’ll say this, it has to work. For this to be a good settlement, that component has to work and I think it is the most important.” (link) 

Southern Conference Commissioner Michael Cross talks with SBJ’s Ben Portnoy about his recent position paper on the future of college sports governance. Cross explains his proposal is built on three key themes: 1) Freedom for the conferences or schools to create rules previously attributed to the national office; 2) A narrow segment of regulation that is centrally governed; and 3) Aligning commensurate responsibility to those granted authority. Cross: “Every single rule that we create [at a national level], the first reflexive action from the coaches and administrators is, ‘How do I work around this rule?’ The easiest way to work around the rule is stop making rules.” Issues that should be centrally governed would include revenue and championship access – Cross tells Portnoy he’s “open to a discussion” about how revenue is distributed. Eligibility, financial aid and other issues could then be left up to the conferences and schools. On the issue of eligibility, Cross notes: “Villanova this year, I believe, is going to have a 32-year-old punter on its roster. The quarterback from Louisville who was just drafted [Tyler Shough] was 26 or 27. You’ll have people who say, ‘Oh gosh, are we really going to have people who are these different ages competing against each other?’ We already do. I understand it intellectually, but we’ve got so many waivers and processes in place, and the pattern repeats itself over and over and over: We pass a rule. Rule doesn’t fit every set of circumstances. School submits waiver on behalf of student-athlete. NCAA denies waiver. Public and media get inflamed and call NCAA ‘heartless administrators.’ Student-athlete lawyers up, finds other student-athletes who have similar circumstances and also lawyer up, and we’re back into this phase.” (link)

Oregon AD Rob Mullens Q&As with JohnCanzano.com’s namesake and explains that when it comes to adhering to the institution’s core values during a period of change, “one of the things that we’re very proud of here, and it’s been a pillar for us, is that we want to provide an exceptional student-athlete experience for all 500 student-athletes and give our 20 sports a chance to compete at a high level. …  I’m glad student-athletes are benefiting from name, image, likeness. But the reality is that for many of our student-athletes, this will be the highest level they play. The experience is important. The degree is paramount, and we still need to make sure that we’re providing that experience.” Mullens also points out that “we’re not going to have to go backwards with any team. So the funding is going to stay in place. Resource allocation has always been one of the most difficult parts of this job. Because you want to give everything to everybody. But that’s just not reality, particularly when you look at the economics in our asset base. So we’re going to have to make strategic investments and strategic allocation. And that starts with football. Football generates 80% of our resources. We have to be successful in football to generate the resources to help fund the other 19 sports. And so then we’ll study the marketplace, the landscape, obviously, where we have a rich history and tradition. … And then we’re also going to make an investment in the new roster limit scholarship pieces in almost every one of our women’s sports to allow them to remain competitive. As you were noting off the top here in the spring, when you look at what women’s golf has done, what softball has done, what women’s track has done, we want to continue to excel in those sports.” (link)

Extra Points publisher Matt Brown catches up with Pacific AD Adam Tschuor to discuss the Tigers’ decision to add more sports as other departments are eliminating programs. Tschour explains that Pacific “knew we needed to opt into the (House) settlement” to remain relevant in men’s and women’s basketball while at the same time not chasing away tuition-paying student-athletes in other sports. “We must have looked at a thousand different scenarios and modeled over a dozen different potential sports. … College sports is a business, sure, but it’s also supposed to be co-curricular. Expanding athletic opportunities fits with what we’re trying to do as a university. We’re a growing school.” Brown adds that Pacific needed to find solutions that wouldn’t require massive capital investments, would make sure the school would comply with Title IX, would have enough local schools to play against, and would make sense financially. Looking toward the future, Tschour says there are plans to continue expanding, and Brown notes: “Two potential candidates in the near future? Restoring field hockey and men’s volleyball, two sports that Pacific previously offered. The department also considered potential club sport offerings, like women’s flag football (attractive, given the depth of high school participation, but with concerns over a lack of local opponents), other varsity sports (women’s golf?)…and yes, even the return of football (which uh, doesn’t make sense unless you’re interested in writing Pacific an $80M dollar check).” (link)

Penry Advisors Founder Jason Penry shares with AthleticDirectorU some insights from top NIL supporters at the Group of 5 level and is told by one: “From my perspective it is a no-win situation. It starts when I give money to NIL. The coach uses it to pay better players. The coach then leaves for a pay raise and takes all the players with him, and you have nothing to show for it. I would rather just give money to the university. … Do not BS me with this ‘student-athlete thing’ anymore.” To get a better understanding of donor motivation, Penry sent a flash survey to 15 of the top NIL investors from a total of 11 G5 programs and notes that “each of the 15 individuals polled are among the top five NIL donors at their related institution. Each of the 15 individuals were asked one question: ‘What is your biggest motivator to invest in NIL at the highest level?’ The donors had six options to answer the question: A) I want to help athletes; B) I want to help the coach(es); C) I want to help the athletic department and AD; D) I want to help the university; E) I want to win; and F) all the above.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, F was the most popular answer followed by E. Meanwhile, one donor explains: “Honestly, all except A (‘I want to help athletes’) for me. I agree with that statement, but it is for sure last on the list. Purely from a financial standpoint, all students – athlete or not – need to use college to figure their sh*t out. I do not believe anyone should have that financial burden or pressure to help that kid except for themselves and their family. NIL is a handout, probably more so at the top end. Easy money now, but (what) does it teach (about) work ethic? If an athlete wants to go out to book appearances and market for a brand, I am all for that, but I believe it should be independent of the school. I understand why we got here, and I hate it.” (link)

NCAA FBS…

Navy: Ricky Brown has updated roles to Special Teams Coordinator / Outside Linebackers after serving as a Special Teams Coordinator / Strikers / Raiders since 2023

Oklahoma: Stacey Ford has reportedly been hired in a front office role after serving as Director of Player Personnel at UCLA (link)

NCAA FCS…

Illinois State: Dru Richardson has been added as Defensive Backs Coach after serving as Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach at Elmhurst (DIII)

NCAA DII…

Mary: Taylor Kolste has been hired as Offensive Coordinator after serving as Assistant Quarterbacks Coach at Kentucky (FBS)

Minnesota State: Mitchell Collicott has been added as Defensive Line Coach after serving as Co-Defensive Coordinator at Wisconsin-La Crosse

Post: Edward Groth IV has been added as Special Teams Coordinator and Linebackers Coach after serving two seasons in a similar capacity at Clarion (DII)

Wayne State (MI): Antwon Robinson has been promoted to Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach/Recruiting Coordinator after serving as Defensive Backs Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator (link)

Wayne State (MI): Ahmen Saleh has been elevated from Volunteer Coach to Linebackers Coach/Special Teams Coordinator (link)

Wayne State (MI): JC McDonald has reportedly been hired as Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach (link)

Wayne State (MI): Mustafa Khaleefah has been elevated from Graduate Assisstant to Tight Ends Coach (link)

NCAA DI…

Coastal Carolina: Mike Brown has been added as the Director of Player Development after playing one season professionally overseas

East Carolina: Assistant Coach Reggie Williams has departed after serving on staff since September 2022

Georgia: Todd Abernethy has been added as an Assistant Coach after six years in a similar role at Florida Atlantic

NC State: Greg Golden has been hired as Director of Pack Performance after serving as Strength & Conditioning Coach at Penn State

NC State: Nick Flory has been named Director of Operations after two seasons in the same role at McNeese

NC State: Joseph Anderson added as Director of Player Development after serving as a Graduate Assistant at McNeese

Providence: Shaun Brown has been added as High Performance Coach for Men’s Basketball

NCAA DII…

Fayetteville State: Isiah Gill has been added as an Assistant Coach after recently serving as the Associate Head Coach at Bluefield State (DII)

NCAA DIII…

John Jay: Head Coach Ryan Hyland has reportedly departed to become the coaching staff at Fordham (DI)

NAIA…

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods: Zane Latta has been added as an Assistant Coach
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods: Nico Soto has been added as an Assistant Coach

NCAA DI…

Lindenwood: Lindsay Ward has been promoted from Director of Operations to Assistant Coach

Lindenwood: Makayla Wallace has been hired as Director of Operations after competing for the Lions

Mercer: Britney Snowden has been added as an Assistant Coach after serving in the same role at Bethune-Cookman (DI) for five seasons

Omaha: Leah Szabla has been added as an Assistant Coach after serving as the Associate Head Coach at Augustana (SD) (DII) for the 2024-25 season

Omaha: Claire Gritt has been added as an Assistant Coach after recently serving as an Assistant Coach and Director of Operations at Army (DI)

Omaha: Madison Townley has been added as an Assistant Coach after playing for five seasons at North Texas (DI) 

William & Mary: Graceann Bennett has been added as an Assistant Coach after completing her playing career oversees

NCAA DII…

Barry: Allison Bustamante has been hired as Head Coach after serving in the same role at Doral Academy

Malone: Madison Cloonan has been added as an Assistant Coach 

NCAA DIII…

Albright: Alyssa Parsons has been hired as Head Coach after serving as an Assistant Coach at Rider (DI)

NAIA…

Keiser: Matthew Strickland has been hired as Head Coach after serving in the same role at Chandler-Gilbert (NJCAA)

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods: Rylee Dowers has been added as an Assistant Coach, bringing in experience in the same role at Danville Area CC (NJCAA)

NJCAA…

WVU Potomac State: Bradley Brandon is no longer an Assistant Coach

NCAA DI…

Cal: The Golden Bears have reportedly parted ways with Assistant Coach Chad Highberger (link)

McNeese: Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Jimmy Ricklefsen is reportedly no longer with the program after 23 years (link)

Rice: Pitching Coach Parker Bangs and Director of Player Development DC Arendas will not return to the Owls’ staff (link)

Sam Houston State: Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Jake Carson is reportedly no longer with the Bearkats (link)

San Jose State: Thomas Walker has reportedly been hired on staff after serving as Hitting Coach at Long Beach State (link)

Stonehill: Head Coach Pat Boen has retired after 28 seasons at the helm

VMI: Trey Morgan is no longer on staff as an Assistant Coach after serving in the role since July 2024

NCAA DII…

California (PA): Head Coach Mike Conte has retired after 29 seasons leading the Vulcans

Pittsburg State: Brock Buckingham has been hired as Head Coach after serving as Associate Head Coach at Cowley (NJCAA)

NCAA DII…

Daemen: Head Coach Carrie Racsumberger has stepped down after seven seasons leading the program

NCAA DI…

Kansas State: Head Women’s Rowing Coach Patrick Sweeney has retired after 22 seasons and Assistant Coach Kennedy Felice has been promoted to Head Coach

NCAA DII…

USCB: Shawn Scott has been promoted to a full-time Men’s and Women’s Assistant Track and Field Coach - Jumps, Sprints, after serving as a Volunteer Assistant

NCAA DIII…

Huntington: Assistant Cross Country And Track And Field Coach Alex Cole has been promoted to Head Coach, with current Head Coach Ed Wright to remain with the Hawks as an Assistant Coach

NCAA DII…

USCB: Shawn Scott has been promoted to a full-time Men’s and Women’s Assistant Track and Field Coach - Jumps, Sprints, after serving as a Volunteer Assistant

NCAA DIII…

Fitchburg State: Jamie Aubuchon appears to have concluded his tenure as the Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach after serving on staff since the 1998 season

Huntington: Assistant Cross Country And Track And Field Coach Alex Cole has been promoted to Head Coach, with current Head Coach Ed Wright to remain with the Hawks as an Assistant Coach

NAIA…

Waldorf: Matthew Chattin appears to no longer be the Head Coach

NCAA DII…

Newberry: Austin Alexander has been named Head Men's & Women's Coach after recently serving in the same role at his alma mater Limestone (DII) (link)

NCAA DII…

Newberry: Austin Alexander has been named Head Men's & Women's Coach after recently serving in the same role at his alma mater Limestone (DII) (link)

NCAA DII…

William Jewell: The interim tag has been removed in naming Andrew Briones as Head Coach

NAIA…

Reinhardt: Head Coach Roy Reynolds has retired after starting the program in 2016

NCAA DI…

USC Upstate: Tony Vu has been added as an Assistant Coach after recently serving as the Assistant Coach at Coker (DII) for the Men's and Women's Soccer programs during Fall 2024

NCAA DIII…

Fitchburg State: Brad Hosey has concluded his tenure as Head Coach after three years at the helm (link)

NCAA DI…

Missouri: Renee Horton has been hired as Associate Head Coach after serving in a similar role at West Georgia last season

NCAA DII…

Lenoir-Rhyne: Holly Zador has been added as an Assistant Coach, after serving as the Head Coach at Mars Hill (DII) since February 2022 (link)

NCAA DI…

Bucknell: Head Coach Sarah Caffrey has stepped down after five seasons leading the Bison

NCAA DIII…

Whittier: Jamie Garvey has been added as an Assistant Coach

Whittier: Sarah Duran has been added as an Assistant Coach

NCCAA…

Dallas Christian: Assistant Coach Megan Watkins has been promoted to Head Coach, succeeding Ryan Lindsey who led the program for the past three years

NCAA DII…

Augusta: Amanda Fields has taken on the role of Head Cheerleading Coach in addition to her duties as an Athletics Business Manager. A former student-athlete, she competed as a member of the cheerleading team at Drexel (DI) 

NJCAA…

Dodge City CC: Brett Rojas has been named Head Coach after serving as an Assistant Coach for the last four seasons (link)

NCAA DI…

Kentucky: Karissa Kruszewski has been added as Associate Men's & Women's Coach after recently serving as Associate Head Women's Coach at UCLA (DI)

NCAA DI…

Kentucky: Karissa Kruszewski has been added as Associate Men's & Women's Coach after recently serving as Associate Head Women's Coach at UCLA (DI)

NCAA DII…
Thomas More: Head Women’s Tennis Coach Shawn Barone has added responsibilities as Head Men’s Tennis Coach

NCAA DII…
Thomas More: Head Women’s Tennis Coach Shawn Barone has added responsibilities as Head Men’s Tennis Coach

NCAA DI…

Kansas State: Fletcher Larsen has been promoted to Director of Volleyball Operations after serving as a Student Manager for the past three seasons

NCAA DII…

Central Missouri: Head Coach Cody Garcis has signed a three-year contract extension