The NABC Board of Directors held its annual fall meeting this week, bringing together coaching leaders across all levels to address key issues currently impacting the game. Below are takeaways from the meeting.
New Board Members Introduced
Nine head men’s basketball coaches were officially welcomed as new members to the NABC Board of Directors. The new members collectively represent all three NCAA divisions and were identified as candidates by coaching colleagues on the Board. Joining the Board in 2025-26 are: Baylor head coach Scott Drew, North Georgia head coach Dan Evans, Yale head coach James Jones, Pomona-Pitzer head coach Charles Katsiaficas, Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay, Kentucky head coach Mark Pope, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer, Notre Dame head coach Micah Shrewsberry, and Illinois head coach Brad Underwood.
Division-Specific Updates
The Board discussed current issues and received reports from members representing each NCAA division, two-year colleges and high school programs. At the high school level, leaders continue to prioritize addressing the growing shortage of coaches and are set to introduce new educational modules aimed at improving sportsmanship and parental conduct. NAIA programs are tracking projected nationwide college enrollment declines and the potential impact that trend would have on small school athletics. Two-year college leaders are continuing efforts to engage with the NCAA on policy solutions related to athletes who compete over their careers at both the NCAA and two-year college levels.
Division III coaches are focusing attention on a recent legislative proposal that would allow players to have five years to play four seasons – essentially permitting a redshirt year. And in Division II, coaches are evaluating a legislative proposal that would grant all athletes five seasons of eligibility.
In Division I, the NABC continues to track the progress of a legislative proposal that would redefine prospects as Prospective Student-Athletes starting in 9th grade. Coaches also provided feedback on potential expansion of exhibition game opportunities and deregulation of coaching staff limits and foreign tour rules.
NCAA Division I Basketball Issues
The NCAA provided updates to the Board on various basketball-specific topics, including rules changes for the 2025-26 season, metrics used by the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee as selection criteria, increasing opportunities for coaches to provide feedback on the selection process, and the introduction of performance fund units for the Division I national semifinals and championship game. The NCAA also updated the Board on the status of potential expansion of the Division I tournament, noting that expansion to 72 or 76 teams remains an option starting in 2027.
NCAA Legislative Issues
Senior NCAA leaders gave the Board an overview of recently-announced Division I governance changes, including adjustments to the makeup of the Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee. The MBOC will continue to have authority to enact legislative changes related to sport-specific topics including the recruiting calendar and the playing and practice season, among others.
The new MBOC structure will include at least three head coaches, with the potential for more coaches based on who conferences select as their representatives. The NABC Executive Director will also continue to hold a non-voting seat on the MBOC.
Board members continued to stress to the NCAA the importance of coach representation across the entire NCAA governance structure – noting that coach voices have historically been undervalued as significant industry changes have taken shape.
