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Edition #1697

January 19, 2026

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NCAA VP of DII/Liaison to the Board of Governors Terri Steeb Gronau sits down with College.town’s Anthony Grassi at the 2026 NCAA Convention to dive into the division’s new operating plan, survey results, streaming and more.

➤ In the division’s new operating plan, the largest area focuses on athletics, financials and championships to create better early-round matchups and a more competitive bracket overall. As support for regionalization dropped by more than 20% over seven years: “That response was not surprising. … Part of it was we didn't have the finances to really correct it. With the new ESPN agreement that the full association signed, that allowed Division II to have more dollars coming into the Division II budget, so now we can look at things that don't have to be cost neutral. Having money to be able to do something is important and helpful. So allowing us now to have dollars that will allow us to switch teams across regions, potentially look at maybe adding more flights, but it just allows us to do things differently because in addition to the focus of wanting to do something different, to make championships more competitive and a better experience for the student athletes, we have the funding to now be able to do it.”

➤ On the challenge of putting together an operating plan with so much industry change: “We need to start to have very specific things that we need to work on, focus in on as a division. And just like we always do, we will adjust and bend as necessary to deal with any of the issues that are happening across college sports. I think our leadership and others felt like it was time to refocus in on Division II and to have a plan of, ‘These are the things that we're going to focus on and these are the things that we're going to try to accomplish.’”

➤ As for potential changes around football: “We're still going to continue to have issues with scheduling in football and conferences either having closed scheduling or not willing to play other schools in the regular season. We can create national standards around that that would require schools to have to play against other schools outside of their conference. That is something that we have to continue to talk about and whether or not Division II and Division II football-playing members have an interest in that. … I don't know where we will eventually go, but I do think the conversation around transfer windows in Division II will be a key topic of conversation over the next six to nine months to figure out. Do we need to put something up for a vote at the ‘27 Convention around transfer windows to hopefully maybe potentially settle some of the transfer environment? The Division II membership's going to have to decide if that would help or hurt when it comes to recruiting within Division II.”

➤ Steeb Gronau states this season’s football championship “was our best numbers for the last many years when it comes to overall viewership.” As for what lies ahead for DII media rights: “What we'll be able to do in ‘26, ‘27 is still to be determined, but we know we want to build to something come ‘32 to look at how we do streaming for Division II and Division III championships, based on not only what's currently happening in the streaming world, but what do people see as the future for streaming to make sure Division II and III have the opportunity to take advantage of that.”

➤ On the potential for that to live behind a paywall: “I don't have concerns that that's where Division II could head. Hopefully by 2032, it might be a new revenue stream that the division could see, which would certainly be a great thing for Division II.”

➤ Full conversation on BOSCA. (link)

If you have not seen the aforementioned operating plan that rolled out at the NCAA Convention, you can check it out here. There are five key areas of focus: academics, athletics, health and wellness, governance and operations, and positioning, with more than 50 action steps. (link)

Winona State AD Jen Flowers joins The Warrior Way to discuss returning to her alma mater to lead the department and her priority early in her tenure. “We talk about it all in every meeting that we have. We just talk about us. If we're not banging our own drum, nobody else is going to, and so to a fault sometimes I'm banging drums. It's easy in this day and age to feel negative or defeated about the things we don't have. There are plenty of things that we don't have, and we know that, and we're working on that, but we do have so many. So for me, one of the things I noticed on my visit, and maybe one of the things I noticed as I was competing from afar the last few years right against Winona State, was I just didn't feel like the energy and pride were the same as what I felt like they should be. That's probably been my biggest priority. It's funny; after six months, people say, ‘Oh, how are you doing? What'd you accomplish?’ And I'm like, I don't know. It's hard for me to pinpoint anything other than I think people are coming to work every day feeling valued number one and feeling motivated to be great.” More on her first year: “We've had some tremendous successes, and sometimes, unfortunately, success in golf or success in cross country doesn't elevate and excite the community the same way that success in other sports will. And that's not just Winona; that's just how it is, but we still have an obligation to tell that story and scream that excitement.” More from Flowers. (link)

Wheeling will add women’s wrestling starting next academic year. (link)

We offer our deepest condolences to the Catawba community following the passing of men’s soccer student-athlete Fletcher Harris. (link)

Check out the coaching changes over the weekend from across the country in this morning’s Coaches.wire. (link)

East Central and Northeastern State each received $17M from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. (link)

Enrollment this past fall increased 1% year-over-year to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Public four-year institutions and community colleges saw increases of 1.2% and 3%, respectively, while private four-year nonprofit enrollment fell by 1.4%. For freshman enrollment this fall, four-year public enrollment grew by 1.9%, and four-year private enrollment dropped by 2.2%. Geographically, the South led all regions with 3.1% growth. Georgia and Alabama led all states with a 4.9% increase, followed by North Carolina, Utah, Wyoming and North Dakota, all over 4%. On the other hand, Washington saw the largest drop of 4.6%, followed by Indiana, New Jersey and South Dakota, all seeing 3.1% decreases. Among the top 20 major fields, engineering saw the largest growth of 7.3%, followed by health professions and related clinical sciences (5.5%), public administration and social service professions (5.2%), and public administration and social service professions (3.7%). Computer and information sciences and English language and literature/letters both saw drops of more than 8%. (link, link - full data)

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(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)

(NEW!) Athletic Trainer (Hillsdale College / Hillsdale, MI): The position of Athletic Trainer will work under the direction of the Assistant AD-Sports Medicine and the Head Athletic Trainer to provide recognition, prevention, and rehabilitation of injuries. More details HERE.

(NEW!) Strength & Conditioning Coach (Hillsdale College / Hillsdale, MI): The Strength and Conditioning Coach is responsible for developing and managing student-athletes and teams in a safe environment, in accordance with the values and mission of Hillsdale College. More details HERE.

Vice President and Director of Athletics (University of New Mexico / Albuquerque, NM): UNM seeks a Vice President & Director of Athletics to lead 18 Division I programs, advancing academic, competitive, and ethical excellence while elevating the Lobos’ national profile. (DI) More details HERE. The D1.dossier for this position is available HERE.

Director of Student Athlete Academic Support Services (University of Arkansas at Little Rock / Little Rock, AR): Little Rock Athletics is in search of a Director of Student Athlete Academic Support Services. This position will manage the overall coordination of all academic services of Little Rock’s athletes. (DI) More details HERE.

Football Coach (Campbellsville University / Campbellsville, KY): Campbellsville University is seeking a Head Coach for our NAIA nationally ranked football program. (NAIA) More details HERE.

Head Men’s Soccer Coach/Physical Education & Wellness Instructor (Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MIT / Cambridge, MA): This is a full-time, 10-month appointment that will include the management and oversight of the men's soccer program. (DIII) More details HERE.

Faculty Athletic Training/Kinesiology (University of Mary / Bismarck, ND): The Assistant Professor for Athletic Training/Kinesiology reports to the Athletic Training and Kinesiology Department Chair. More details HERE.

Director of Athletics (Wilson College / Chambersburg, PA): The director of athletics provides visionary and strategic leadership for the comprehensive NCAA Division III athletics program and the varsity Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) teams. (DIII) More details HERE.

Director of Athletics (Western Colorado University / Gunnison, CO): Western Colorado University invites energetic, collaborative, and visionary professionals to apply for the position of Director of Athletics at a nationally recognized NCAA DII athletics program. More details HERE.

Assistant Coach - Football - Offensive Coordinator (Seton Hill University / Greensburg, PA): To serve in a full-time capacity as Assistant Coach of the University’s Men’s Football program. This position will specifically serve as Assistant Football Coach, Offensive Coordinator. More details HERE.

Head Men's Soccer Coach (Frostburg State University / Frostburg, MD): Division II Head Men's Soccer Coach - playoff caliber team competing in the highly regarded Mountain East Conference looking for someone to continue the quest for a conference championship. More details HER

Senior Associate Athletic Director or Associate AD (University of Wisconsin – Parkside / Kenosha, WI): The Senior Associate AD or Associate AD - Partnerships & Development leads Athletics’ revenue-generating efforts, including but not limited to sponsorships, fundraising, and ticket sales. More details HERE.

Director of Athletics (Menlo School / Atherton, CA): Menlo School, a leading private independent school in Atherton, California, seeks a mission-focused, inspiring, and strategic leader to serve as the next director of athletics. More details HERE.

Chief Executive Officer (IPTAY / Clemson, SC): The CEO is responsible for providing strategic leadership for IPTAY by working with the Board, Clemson Athletics, and other University leaders to establish long-range goals and strategic priorities. (DI) More details HERE.

Head Men's Soccer Coach (College of Staten Island - CUNY / Staten Island, NY): CSI is seeking qualified candidates to lead the men's soccer program. The selected candidate will oversee all aspects of a Division II program in New York City. More details HERE.

Head Women's Soccer Coach (College of Staten Island - CUNY / Staten Island, NY): CSI is seeking qualified candidates to lead the women's soccer program. The selected candidate will oversee all aspects of a Division II program in New York City. More details HERE.

Commissioner (Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference / Madison, WI): Reporting directly to the Council of Chancellors, the Commissioner serves as the Conference’s chief administrative officer, providing strategic leadership aligned with the WIAC’s mission and values. (DIII) More details HERE.

Athletics Administrative Assistant (University of Mary / Bismarck, ND): The Administrative Assistant provides administrative support to the Athletic Director and the entire athletic department. More details HERE.

Assistant Football Coach - RB Coach/General Manager (Grand Valley State University / Allendale, MI): RB Coach/GM is responsible for all phases of the program i.e. administration, student-athlete recruitment, fiscal management, fund raising and pr, and other duties assigned by Head Football Coach. More details HERE.

Head Coach, Women's Soccer (California State University – Stanislaus / Turlock, CA): The Head Women’s Soccer Coach oversees all aspects of the program, supervises assistant coaches, leads recruiting, manages scheduling, budget, and supports fundraising efforts with the AD. More details HERE

Foundation Development Director (MAPGA Foundation / Stafford, VA): Will be responsible for developing and executing strategies to secure financial support for our Foundation in the world of golf. Military and junior golf programs are the lead elements of our programs More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Trainer (Minnesota State University – Moorhead / Moorhead, MN): Provides athletic training and health care coordination for student-athletes at Minnesota State Moorhead, covering practices and events, coordinating care, and working with coaches and staff. More details HERE.

Assistant Commissioner for Championships, Administration and External Operations (South Atlantic Conference / Rock Hill, SC): Responsible for the coordination and administration of the Conference’s 24 championships (22 in 2026-27), oversight of sport policy manuals, and leadership of league external operations initiatives. More details HERE.

Head Women's Volleyball Coach (Lubbock Christian University / Lubbock, TX): Manage, direct, and develop all aspects of the institution’s intercollegiate Women's Volleyball program More details HERE.

Director of Athletics (Lawrence University / Appleton, WI): The Director of Athletics is responsible for the successful leadership of all facets of the University – the development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of all athletics activities. (DIII) More details HERE.

Head Women's Volleyball Coach (Mars Hill University / Mars Hill, NC): The Head Coach oversees all aspects of the Women’s Volleyball program. Mars Hill competes at the NCAA Division II level and is a member of the South Atlantic Conference. More details HERE.

Head Women's Soccer Coach (John Brown University / Siloam Springs, AR): A strong commitment to the importance of discipling students in the Christian faith and to the academic success of the student-athlete. Build on the strong foundation in place for competition! (NAIA) 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 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 Athletics Director for Football Academics (Texas A&M University / College Station, TX): Texas A&M Athletics is seeking an Assistant Athletics Director for Football Academics to lead academic support operations for the Football program within the Center for Student-Athlete Services. (DI) More details HERE.

Director of Creative Services (University of Central Arkansas / Conway, AR): Lead the creative media efforts for Central Arkansas Athletics, effectively promoting the success, stories, and accomplishments of our 18 Division I athletic programs. (DI) More details HERE.

Coordinator, Digital & Social Media (Big Ten Conference / Rosemont, IL): This position will assist with the execution of the Conference's digital and social media strategy, including social media management, email marketing, website development, and more. (DI) More details HERE.

Assistant Football Coach - Offensive Coordinator (Pennwest - California / California, PA): Responsible for running the overall offensive system in football including film review, play calling & working with the HC in the development of the offensive side of the ball to excel at D2 level. More details HERE.

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