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Chris Pollard (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Virginia is expected to hire longtime Duke head coach Chris Pollard to replace Brian O’Connor, sources have told Baseball America.

Pollard’s Blue Devils were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament on Monday night, falling to four-seed Murray State in a shocking Durham Super Regional result. The series loss closed the book on a 41-win season that included a 17-13 mark in ACC play and marked the end of a historic 14-year run in Durham.

Pollard departs as Duke’s all-time wins leader and the architect of the most successful era in program history. When he arrived in 2013, Duke hadn’t reached the NCAA Tournament in over 50 years. Under Pollard’s guidance, the Blue Devils became a perennial contender, earning seven regional berths, four super regional appearances and national respect in a league filled with college baseball blue bloods.

Now, Pollard is set to inherit a UVA program that went to Omaha six times under O’Connor and has the infrastructure, talent base and NIL resources to sustain that level of excellence. The move marks a rare ACC-to-ACC jump between two high-profile jobs and reflects the esteem in which Pollard is held throughout the coaching community.

Longtime Duke assistant Josh Jordan is widely viewed as the favorite to replace Pollard at Duke after spending a decade as his top assistant in Durham from 2012-22. Jordan has been a key piece in LSU’s recruiting efforts since then, including having a hand in putting together the Tigers’ national title-winning team in 2023.

Jordan joined the Duke staff as recruiting coordinator in June 2012 and was promoted to associate head coach and recruiting coordinator by Pollard three years later. In addition to managing Duke’s recruiting activities, Jordan worked with the Blue Devils’ catchers and outfielders, helping to guide them back to the postseason for the first time in over half a century.

Virginia’s vacancy was among the most coveted in the country. In 21 years, O’Connor built it into a model of sustained success—highlighted by a 2015 national title, dozens of MLB draft picks and a culture that blended development with high expectations. Finding a successor to that legacy was never going to be simple.

Pollard, though, checks every box.

He’s proven he can win in a challenging academic setting. He’s shown an ability to develop deep rosters and maximize talent. And though he’s deeply rooted at Duke, the chance to lead one of the best-resourced programs in the ACC—and a consistent Omaha threat—was always going to be difficult to turn down.

Pollard, a North Carolina native and former Appalachian State coach, has long operated with a sense of loyalty and purpose, and is among the ACC’s most respected voices in recent conversations around roster regulation, NIL structuring and the future of college baseball. 

In Charlottesville, he’ll inherit a team with sky-high expectations. O’Connor’s departure left a void, but Virginia didn’t stay idle long. It went after the proven winner it wanted from the jump.

The landmark settlement in House v. NCAA has sent shockwaves through all of college sports, not just football. Now, schools can directly fund their athletes’ NIL with a cap of $20.5 per school spread out across all sports. Ohio State fields 36 intercollegiate sports, and it intends to continue to do so in the wake of this decision.

Ohio State’s Department of Athletics and Learfield’s Ohio State Sports Properties have announced the formation of Buckeye Sports Group. Learfield is Ohio State’s multimedia rights holder and provides partners with media opportunities. BSG is designed to support, streamline, and enhance the Buckeyes’ NIL.

Prior to the settlement, Ohio State had two major NIL collectives: THE Foundation and The 1870 Society. BSG will utilize both in an advisory capacity while consolidating the pair under a single, unified marketing team.

“We’re incredibly thankful for everything our NIL collective’s leadership, businesses, and donors have done to support our student-athletes,” Ross Bjork, Senior Vice President and Athletics Director, said. “Their commitment has helped shape the landscape in powerful ways. As we move forward with a more unified approach, we’re excited to combine efforts and further strengthen the NIL success of our student-athletes.”

Ohio State Announces ‘Buckeye Sports Group’ Amid House Decision

Key Elements

An interesting but key element of the settlement and “salary cap” is the implementation of what they call a Fair Market Evaluation process and a “range of compensation.” Ideally, this will establish benchmarks across sports regarding NIL. BSG will handle brand deals, corporate sponsorships, storytelling, and NIL support. Already, Buckeye athletes have secured over 500 NIL brand partnerships. 

“Ohio State has always been a leader in college athletics, and this initiative is another step forward to build upon our strong NIL foundation,” said Carey Hoyt, Ohio State’s Deputy Director of Athletics. “By combining the power of our athletic brand with Learfield’s expansive network, we are creating an innovative, full-service approach to NIL that directly benefits our student-athletes.”

NIL Strategy

According to the press release, BSG will support Ohio State’s student-athletes with comprehensive efforts within three key areas: deal facilitation and management, content creation and storytelling, and support services.

• NIL Deal Facilitation & Management
  • Negotiating and securing brand partnerships locally, regionally, and nationally;
  • Overseeing contract preparation and fair market value assessments;
  • Utilizing analytics to track NIL performance and return on investment.
• Content Creation & Student-Athlete Storytelling, powered by Learfield Studios
  • Creating athlete-driven digital content, including social media campaigns, video series, and podcasts;
  • Leveraging Learfield’s Fanbase data and digital expertise to optimize distribution across social media and digital channels.
  • Providing marketing resources for brand collaborations to maximize results, including the use of Ohio State marks, logos, and access to campus facilities;
• Athlete Support & Services
  • Providing financial literacy and tax support through partnerships with industry experts;
  • Offering branding and social media growth training to help athletes build their personal brands.
  • Connecting student-athletes with brand partners to provide business experience, micro-internships, and build professional networking relationships with companies.

Read More: Does The Big Ten ‘Deserve’ Multiple AQs in the CFP?

 A Whole New World

The House decision, like most of the changes to college football, benefits Ohio State in a way. Compared to the rest of the schools in Ohio, the Buckeyes are set to not only survive in the ever-changing landscape, but it is built to thrive.

The Buckeye Sports Group partnership looks to maximize the earning potential of student-athletes. This looks to strengthen Ohio State’s already strong brand value. Additionally, it aims to create a sustainable NIL ecosystem that benefits the university, athletes, and brands equally.

Todd Kinsley, Vice President and General Manager of Learfield’s Ohio State Sports Properties, provided a statement: “As we enter a new era for college athletics, we’re excited to build on our past successes and create even more meaningful NIL opportunities for Ohio State student-athletes. Buckeyes have excelled both on and off the field, and we’re committed to amplifying that momentum. We also recognize the unique potential of our footprint in Columbus, one of the fastest-growing metro markets, for impactful deal-making. With the strength of Buckeye Nation behind us, we’re able to unlock incremental opportunities for partnerships on a local, regional, and national scale.”

Much was made of Ohio State’s alleged $20 million roster that won the national championship last year. While we may not know the actual, concrete number because online reporting has been more speculation than reporting, Ohio State had one of the most expensive rosters in the nation. Other schools reportedly spent more, but it’s moot at this point.

Will the deals be public knowledge under this new system? Will we be able to see an actual, tangible number? Time will tell. Regardless, with the swiftness of this announcement, it’s obvious that Ohio State was preparing for this brand-new world in which it finds itself.

Main Photo: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

WEST LAFAYETTE − The financial allotment for college athletes went from one extreme (legally nonexistent) to another when the NCAA instituted name, image, and likeness (NIL), allowing student-athletes to capitalize on their marketability.

Football | June 10

DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University will welcome alumni, celebrate its football history, honor members of the military and first responders, teachers and more during its final season in the Mid-American Conference as the promotions for NIU’s 2025 football home games were announced on Tuesday.
 
NIU kicks off its 124th college football season on August 30th versus Holy Cross on “First Saturday in Huskie Stadium” with fans encouraged to wear red and help celebrate Football Champions Weekend with stars of the past.
 
The Huskies next are home on Saturday, September 27th to take on San Diego State in the annual Salute to Service game, which will also include high school band day, scout day and a celebration of teachers in conjunction with Extra Yard for Teachers Week.
 
On Saturday, October 4th, the oldest Homecoming in the state of Illinois will be celebrated for the 118th time with NIU taking on MAC foe Miami for the Mallory Cup. In addition to welcoming alumni from across the country, the Huskie Football program is extending a special invitation to former football student-athletes.
 
The Huskies and Ball State will battle for the Bronze Stalk Trophy in DeKalb on Saturday, October 25th during Family Weekend, which has also been dubbed the cancer awareness game and youth sports day. NIU employees and health care workers will be recognized and can take advantage of ticket discounts.
 
NIU plays its final midweek #MACtion game on Tuesday, November 18th versus Western Michigan with the Huskies’ MAC finale set for Friday, November 28^th on “Black Friday” with a Black Out (wear black). Prior to the game, which kicks off at 11 a.m. (CT), 2025 seniors and their families will be honored.
 
The list is not final as additional promotions will be added as they are finalized.  
 
Season ticket prices for NIU’s six 2025 home games begin at as little as $110 each for a general admission ticket. With the purchase of the Huskie 4-Pack (four or more tickets), pay $110 each for a reserved seat in sections A, B or F on the West Side. Reserved west side seats are priced at $152 or $170 with discounts available for NIU alumni, NIU faculty/staff, DeKalb County residents, seniors (62+) and members of the Varsity Club (former student-athletes).
 
Fans who purchase 2025 Huskie Football season tickets by June 30th of this year automatically qualify for the “Lock In” rate, giving them the ability to purchase similar season tickets in 2026 and 2027 at 2025 prices, provided they meet the season ticket deadline each year. 
 
Renew or purchase tickets for the 2025 NIU Football season now online at NIUHuskies.com/tickets. For more information, call the NIU Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225) weekdays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or email huskiestickets@niu.edu.
 
— NIU —
 
Twitter: @NIUAthletics
Facebook: NIU Huskies
Instagram: niuhuskies
YouTube: NIU Athletics Official
 
 

Former Maryland men’s basketball guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie has plans to take Blueprint Sports — the company that manages Maryland’s NIL contracts — to mediation court, as reported on Monday by Taylor Lyons and Sam Jane of the Baltimore Sun.

Gillespie transferred to Tennessee after the 2024-25 season when former head coach Kevin Willard left Maryland for Villanova.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Gillespie’s father, Byron Gillespie, and lawyer, Issac Connor, claim that the former Maryland guard did not receive his final payments for his deal with Maryland.

Gillespie’s camp also claimed that there was no clause in Gillespie’s contract with Maryland that would terminate the deal if he transferred.

According to Inside Maryland Sports, Maryland’s former NIL Director Harry Geller disagreed with Gillespie’s claim.

In other news

Former Maryland men’s basketball guard Melo Trimble was named the VTB League playoffs MVP for the second straight season after leading CSKA Moscow to the championship.

Former Maryland football safety Beau Brade suffered an apparent lower-body injury during OTAs with the Baltimore Ravens, according to Jeff Zrebiec and Kevin Oestreicher.

Former Maryland football quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa went 15-of-29 for 230 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in his second game with the Hamburg Sea Devils of the European League of Football.

Former Maryland women’s basketball guard Katie Benzan was named the general manager of the Salt Lake City Stars, the Utah Jazz’s G League affiliate.

Class of 2028 defensive lineman Tervon Glass received an offer from Maryland football.

Class of 2027 receiver Davion Vanderbilt received an offer from Maryland football.

Maryland baseball right-handed pitcher Joey McMannis entered the transfer portal on Monday, according to 64Analytics and D1 Baseball.

Former Maryland baseball first baseman Holis Porter committed to Texas Tech in the transfer portal.

Maryland men’s basketball will face Virginia on Dec. 20 in Charlottesville, according to Jon Rothstein.