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Q&A with Liberty AD Ian McCaw Part 2: CFP changes, Football, Softball, Baseball

We had the privilege of speaking with Liberty Athletic Director Ian McCaw at length about the state of the Liberty Athletic program. We delved into a vast array of topics, focusing on the athletic program’s second year in Conference USA and the numerous changes within the college athletic landscape. We also touched on several topics […]

Published

1 month ago

June 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

This will be a multi-part series we release this week. Monday’s feature focused on a recap of the 2024-25 athletic year for the Flames, goals for the athletic department, and the House Settlement, so be sure to check that out if you missed it. Today, we turn our attention to several sports around campus including football, softball, and baseball.

ASOR: There’s been a lot of discussion about changing the format of the College Football Playoff in the coming years, wh ere do you see that landing and what does Liberty need to do to be in that conversation as a potential CFP team in the coming years?

Ian McCaw: “It’s really essential that the Group of Six continue to have access. I really like the 5+11 model. It seems like that is getting a fair amount of traction right now, and that would ensure that the top Group of Five champion, the highest rated Group of Five champion, would have access. That’s really the most important part for us. Then, if we have a season like we did in 2023, it really positions us to be in the College Football Playoff and obviously that is a tremendous accomplishment for any Group of Six program.”

ASOR: The football team was unable to replicate the success from 2023 in 2024, what have you seen from Coach Chadwell and his team that gives you confidence they can get back to the top of the league this fall?

Ian McCaw: “I really like the character and the culture and really the makeup of the 2025 Flames. I’ve had a chance to get out and see some of their workouts, and they seem to be a very humble and hungry group. I think that’s a formula for success. I think they’ll be highly motivated to get back to the 2023 level.”

ASOR: What do you think of the job Coach Chadwell and his staff have done as they continue to navigate the transfer portal?

Ian McCaw: “I think they’ve done a really good job of finding players that fit the culture and also fit the needs of the team. What I’ve been most impressed with, from what I’ve seen thus far, is I think they’ve built a tremendous amount of depth, and that’s very rare at the Group of Five level and in Conference USA. Think that’s going to be a secret sauce for us is that we’re going to be probably the deepest team in Conference USA, and that really pays dividends over the course of the year because injuries occur and things happen. I think we’ve got really quality depth.”

ASOR: Coach Richardson and the softball team made history by taking down #1 Texas A&M and advancing to the Super Regionals, how much exposure did that bring to the program and the athletic department?

Ian McCaw: “Softball has done a great job of marketing itself, and they get great exposure on ESPN. As a result, playing in the final in the A&M regional was the highest rated regional game. And then the Oregon Super Regional I think was the third highest Super Regional from a rating standpoint. So, just great national exposure for the softball program, the department, the entire University. And again, that’s one of the things that successful athletics does, is it really extends the reach of the University and builds the brand and gets our mission out there. Those are all things that that add value to the institution.”

ASOR: Do you think that program has all the resources needed to continue building and potentially reaching the WCWS?

Ian McCaw: “Liberty softball is resourced to compete at the national level. Coach Dot does a great job of scheduling, which allows us to be nationally ranked like we were this year by playing such a competitive schedule, especially early in the season. So we’re really fortunate. If Stanford could have held on to the lead in the final game against Oregon, we would have been hosting a Super Regional right here on campus, which would have been absolutely incredible. But again, great season by them, but they certainly have become a nationally known program, and expect that to continue.”

ASOR: How do you think Coach LeCroy navigated his first season at Liberty and what needs to happen for that program to get back to competing for conference championships and regionals?

Ian McCaw: “I was really impressed with the job that Coach LeCroy did. He arrived late in the summer. I think we only had 13 players on the roster at that point and having to really rebuild. Ultimately, I think he brought in 26 new players. So it was two-thirds of the team was new. His ability to really get them to gel and build a strong culture, and the players absolutely love playing for him. So, I was really encouraged by all those things. I think the future of Liberty baseball is very bright under his leadership.”

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Cowgirl Soccer Trio Tabbed Preseason All-Big 12

IRVING, Texas – Three Oklahoma State Cowgirls were named to the 2025 Preseason All-Big 12 Soccer Team in a vote of the conference’s head coaches. OSU midfielders Xcaret Pineda and Laudan Wilson and defender Jazmin Brown made the list of the league’s top 27 players, while the Cowgirls were picked by the coaches to finish […]

Published

45 minutes ago

August 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

IRVING, Texas – Three Oklahoma State Cowgirls were named to the 2025 Preseason All-Big 12 Soccer Team in a vote of the conference’s head coaches.

OSU midfielders Xcaret Pineda and Laudan Wilson and defender Jazmin Brown made the list of the league’s top 27 players, while the Cowgirls were picked by the coaches to finish seventh in the 16-team league.

TCU is the Big 12 favorite, receiving 13 first-place votes, while Texas Tech came in second with a pair of first-place nods. BYU, West Virginia, Kansas and Colorado were also picked ahead of the Cowgirls.

OSU is coming off a 2024 season in which it finished 14-5-3 overall and made its 14^th appearance in the NCAA Championship. A year ago, the Cowgirls were picked to finish eighth in the preseason Big 12 poll but posted a 6-3-2 mark and fifth-place finish.

The Cowgirls return seven players who started at least 10 games last season, led by Pineda and Wilson, who were both All-Big 12 First Team performers.

A senior, Pineda has played in 61 career games and recorded 14 goals and 11 assists. She tallied six goals each of the last two seasons and also posted four assists as a junior en route to All-Midwest Region First Team honors.

Wilson is coming off a sophomore season in which she was OSU’s leading scorer with 19 points as she scored a career-high five goals and ranked second in the Big 12 with nine assists. She has eight goals and 15 assists in 39 career games.

Brown played her first three collegiate seasons at Kansas State, where she appeared in 55 games with 53 starts, before transferring to Stillwater for her final year.

As a junior last season, Brown started 18 games and earned All-Big 12 Second Team accolades while leading the Wildcats’ field players in minutes played with 1,450.

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Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed inks NIL deal with Rhoback, Aggie fans receive special offer

Texas A&M starting quarterback Marcel Reed became the latest college football player to sign a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with Rhoback. The apparel company announced the news Tuesday while also releasing a new licensed A&M line for the 2025 season. According to Rhoback, Reed will receive a percentage of the revenue generated from […]

Published

1 hour ago

August 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Texas A&M starting quarterback Marcel Reed became the latest college football player to sign a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with Rhoback. The apparel company announced the news Tuesday while also releasing a new licensed A&M line for the 2025 season.

According to Rhoback, Reed will receive a percentage of the revenue generated from its items purchased through his 20% discount link for new customers. That discount link can be found here: Marcel Reed 20% off Rhoback discount link.

“From day one, Marcel stood out — not just for his talent on the field, but for the way he carries himself off it,” Rhoback athlete relations lead Shalen Moore said in a statement. “He represents everything we look for at Rhoback: authenticity, energy, and a connection to his communities and fanbase. We’re beyond excited to have him on board as a pillar and to support his journey every step of the way. With his help, we’re rolling out brand new custom designed Texas A&M collegiate gear, and we can’t wait to see how his community connects with it.”

For the first time in his college career, Reed is the cemented starter going into the season. He flashed promise as a redshirt freshman last fall, replacing the game-one starter for the Aggies, Conner Weigman, in the middle of the season before cementing himself as the top option.

Among freshmen in a single season in A&M history, Reed finished second in passing yards (1,864) and completions (147), third in passing touchdowns (15), tied for 10th in rushing touchdowns (seven) and 14th in rushing yards (547) despite appearing in only 11 games with eight starts.

“I’m fired up to officially join the Rhoback team,” Reed said in a statement, which Rhoback provided. “Ever since the first time I put Rhoback gear on, it’s all I’ve been wearing. What I love most about Rhoback, outside of their apparel, is they are for the athlete. They prioritize fun, authenticity, and most importantly, performance. I’m especially loving the brand-new Texas A&M pieces and cannot wait for our fanbase to wear their Gameday Collection this season. Some really fun things coming this season and we’re pumped to unveil them. In the meantime, I’ll see you all on Saturdays!”

Rhoback previously announced NIL deals with several other college football players, including Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, Penn State running back Nick Singleton and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

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Marshall’s Jo’shon Barbie, Tony Mathis Named To Doak Walker Watch List

2025 Marshall Football Tickets HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football had two players named to the prestigious Doak Walker Award Watch List on Tuesday. Redshirt junior Jo’shon Barbie and redshirt senior Tony Mathis were named to the list, which annually honors the top running back in college football. Barbie exploded onto the scene as a top-tier […]

Published

1 hour ago

August 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

2025 Marshall Football Tickets

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football had two players named to the prestigious Doak Walker Award Watch List on Tuesday.

Redshirt junior Jo’shon Barbie and redshirt senior Tony Mathis were named to the list, which annually honors the top running back in college football.

Barbie exploded onto the scene as a top-tier running back and McNeese State at the end of 2023 and carried that momentum into the 2024 season.

The 5-9, 190-pound product of Harvey, La., has rushed for 1,251 yards and 11 touchdowns in just 17 career games as the primary back for the Cowboys.

In 2024, Barbie finished with 831 yards and eight touchdowns while being a consistent producer in the rushing attack.

Mathis comes to Marshall from Houston where he spent the last two seasons. Prior to his injury-riddled time with the Cougars, Mathis was one of the best running backs in the Big 12 while in a running back rotation at West Virginia.

In 2022, Mathis started 10 games at running back, finishing No. 7 in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game at 56.2 and No. 11 in rushing yards at 562 while splitting time with two other backs.

The 6-1, 195-pound rusher had three 100-yard rushing games and two multi-TD games to his credit. He earned Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Week following a performance against Baylor in which he rushed for 163 yards on 22 carries with 2 TDs.

Both Barbie and Mathis join a Marshall offense that will be led by offensive coordinator Rod Smith, whose offenses at Jacksonville State have finished in the top-3 in rushing yards in each of the last two seasons. Smith’s Illinois rushing attack in 2019 also led the B1G.

Marshall Football opens its 2025 season on Aug. 30 at Georgia. The team’s first home game is a Sept. 6 matchup with Missouri State. To purchase tickets, click HERE.

For all the latest information about Marshall Football, follow @HerdFB on Twitter and @Herd_FB on Instagram.

To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.

—HerdZone.com—

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IU basketball among six finalists for class of 2026 five-star guard Jordan Smith – Inside the Hall

Class of 2026 guard Jordan Smith is down to six schools and Indiana is among his finalists. The six finalists for Smith include Arkansas, Duke, Georgetown, Indiana, Kentucky and Syracuse. Smith is a five-star prospect and the No. 3 player nationally according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He plays at Paul VI Catholic in Chantilly, […]

Published

1 hour ago

August 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

IU basketball among six finalists for class of 2026 five-star guard Jordan Smith

Class of 2026 guard Jordan Smith is down to six schools and Indiana is among his finalists.

The six finalists for Smith include Arkansas, Duke, Georgetown, Indiana, Kentucky and Syracuse. Smith is a five-star prospect and the No. 3 player nationally according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

He plays at Paul VI Catholic in Chantilly, Virginia and played for Team Takeover on the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) circuit. Indiana assistant coach Kenny Johnson has strong ties to the Team Takeover program, which features many players from the DMV area.

Smith landed a scholarship from the IU basketball staff in early May. Here’s a scouting report on Smith from Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports:

“There may not be a player in high school basketball who impacts winning in more ways or with the same consistency as Jordan Smith. The Paul VI and Team Takeover guard has terrific physical tools and even better competitive intangibles that allow him to change the game on both ends of the floor. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1 block per game during the recent EYBL season.

“Physically, he’s long and powerful with a 6-foot-8.5-inch wingspan and chiseled physique. He’s also a good athlete who excels defensively, has switchability on that end of the floor because of his physical strength and toughness, and is also an elite perimeter rebounder.

“Offensively, he gets downhill like few other guards in the class and has consistently developed his ball skills over the years so that he now has legitimate on/off ball versatility. He can initiate offense and make decisions (3.4 assists vs. 1.5 turnovers), put pressure on the rim with his force and physicality when he turns the corner, or take smaller guards into the post. He’s an improved shooter, with a notably high release, but still more consistent with his mid-range pull-up than his three with some occasional sidespin (25% 3pt & 68% FT).

“Smith’s transition to subsequent levels will also be lightened by the fact that he doesn’t need to be an offensive focal point to impact the game. He can do it with his defense, rebounding, energy, competitiveness, or unselfishness. His intangibles are truly elite and so while he may not have totally ideal size or ball skills, he’s extremely hard to bet against.”

NEWS: 5?? Jordan Smith Jr. is down to six schools, he tells @Rivals:

Duke, Arkansas, Georgetown, Kentucky, Indiana, Syracuse

Smitty is the top-ranked guard in the 2026 class. https://t.co/Elv1UvU5bt pic.twitter.com/auybPMh9Zb

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) August 5, 2025

See More: Recruiting, Jordan Smith

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Youth, hunger and speed

BOZEMAN — When asked about the personality the Montana State defensive backs bring to the program, Montana State head coach Brent Vigen smiled while giving his answer. “I think energy is a polite word, right? I think that group has to have some swagger just generally, and we’ve got some guys that do,” he said. […]

Published

2 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

BOZEMAN — When asked about the personality the Montana State defensive backs bring to the program, Montana State head coach Brent Vigen smiled while giving his answer.

“I think energy is a polite word, right? I think that group has to have some swagger just generally, and we’ve got some guys that do,” he said.

The DBs group lost its entire starting lineup that ended last season to both graduation and the NCAA transfer portal. But the group that has taken over this year are intentional in their reps and are prepared to move into bigger roles.

“It brings us so close, and it motivates us so much because we’re like, ‘OK, now we’re the guys that have to step up and support this great organization,'” Bobcats cornerback Takhari Carr said. “Because we understand that we can do everything. We can tackle, we can play man coverage, play zone, go get the ball and things like that. I think we’ll show you a little bit more this fall.”

Montana State defensive back Tayden Gray explained how they have a chip on their shoulder this season.

“We really don’t have anything to prove to be honest,” he said. “Everybody is saying that the DB room might be the worst or the least experienced, but we’ve got players that want to play and want to learn, so we’re going to be alright.”

Looking at the depth chart that was released at the beginning of fall camp, there is no senior experience at defensive back.

Taki Uluilakepa and Gray expanded on how motivated this group is despite its youth, and how they are meshing more every day.

“We know what we have and how much talent we have, and it’s just getting the reps, so that stuff is all coming into play right now,” Uluilakepa said.

“Being young, just our bodies feeling better,” Gray explained. “More time to think and learn over the playbook and just get right with the defense.”

Caden Dowler has had a significant role on the defense, but unfortunately has suffered two season-ending injuries in back-to-back years. His teammate explained how critical he is to the room and the team as a whole.

“Having Caden around, he’s much more than just a great football player,” Uluilakepa said. “He’s a great leader, great player to have around in the locker room. But even on the field, he’s communicating. He’s making sure everyone is in their right spots.”

Caden Dowler.jpg — Montana State’s Caden Dowler, center, celebrates an interception during a game against Utah Tech on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman.

The defensive coaching staff shifted around this offseason, as Bryan Shepard moved to safeties and Trenton Greene was then hired as the cornerbacks coach.

“I feel like coach Shep, since he was working with the corners last year, he knew a good amount about the secondary and all the stuff we’ve been installing,” Uluilakepa said. “He’s not new to the system whatsoever. He’s just been a great addition to our group and our room.”

One thing this group has flashed during spring ball and through fall camp is elite speed. Carr expanded on how they will use it to their advantage this season.

“Football is a lot about speed, but if you’ve got some guys that know where they’re supposed to be, the speed don’t matter that much,” Carr said. “But, I feel like the speed will help in running more man coverage, feeling more comfortable when we are running man coverage and things like that.”

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Women’s Soccer to Play Three Nationally-Televised Games in 2025

RALEIGH, N.C. – ESPN has unveiled its broadcast schedule for the 2025 college women’s soccer season, with NC State set to appear three times on the nationally-televised ACC Network. Each of the Wolfpack’s ACCN matchups will come against opponents who reached the 2024 College Cup. NC State’s first national appearance will take place on Thursday, […]

Published

2 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

RALEIGH, N.C. – ESPN has unveiled its broadcast schedule for the 2025 college women’s soccer season, with NC State set to appear three times on the nationally-televised ACC Network. Each of the Wolfpack’s ACCN matchups will come against opponents who reached the 2024 College Cup.

NC State’s first national appearance will take place on Thursday, October 2 at 7 p.m., when the Pack hosts Wake Forest at Dail Soccer Field.

The Wolfpack will return to the network later in the month for two more contests, starting with another home match against Duke on Sunday, October 26 at 7 p.m. The regular season will conclude with a nationally-televised showdown on the road at North Carolina on Thursday, October 30 at 8 p.m.

All games airing on ESPN platforms will be available to stream via the ESPN app and ACC Network Extra (ACCNX). All home matches not selected for linear broadcast, as well as ACC road contests, will be streamed live on ACCNX.

For the most up-to-date schedule and streaming information, visit the women’s soccer schedule page on GoPack.com.

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