Stanley F. Battle, president of Coppin State, was named chancellor at North Carolina A&T. Battle will assume his duties July 1, 2007. He has been Coppin State president since 2003, overseeing the school’s transition to university status and large increases in state operating support, research grants and private donations. Battle graduated from Springfield in 1973 and earned advanced degrees from Connecticut and Pittsburgh … Texas A&M President Robert Gates will leave his position with the institution to become U.S. Secretary of Defense. Gates previously served with the CIA … David Brandt announced his retirement from the presidency at George Fox, effective June 30 … P. George Benson, dean of the Terry College of Business at Georgia, will become president of the College of Charleston in the spring … Chicago hired David S. Hefner, executive director and chief operating officer of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine, to be the institution’s president … Richmond hired Edward Ayers as president. He previously served as dean of the college and graduate school of arts and sciences at Virginia.

Men’s basketball – Maryland agreed to a two-year contract extension with Gary Williams that will keep him with the men’s basketball program through 2011. Williams led the Terrapins to the 2002 national championship and has compiled a 355-191 record at the helm of his alma mater … John Giannini signed a contract extension at La Salle, keeping him at the school through the 2010-11 season.

Women’s basketball – Southeast Missouri State announced that coach B.J. Smith is on personal leave indefinitely … Pittsburgh signed head coach Agnus Berenato through the 2012-13 season. Her previous contract ended in 2009-10.

Women’s basketball assistants – St. Joseph’s (Long Island) added Kristin Bihary and Ed Miller.

Men’s and women’s cross country assistant – High Point tabbed Julie Cox as assistant coach for the cross country and track and field programs.

Football – After 26 years as head football coach and an assistant professor at Muskingum, Jeffrey Heacock has been promoted to assistant vice president of student affairs for external relations. Twice honored as the coach of the year in Ohio Athletic Conference, Heacock won 108 games at the helm of the program … Framingham State named Tom Kelly head football coach, effective for the 2007 season … North Carolina tabbed Butch Davis to be the school’s new coach, effective November 27 … McNeese State made Matt Viator its head football coach, a position in which he has served on an interim basis for the last six weeks. In that time, the Cowboys have gone 5-1 and earned first place in the Southland Conference standings. Viator, 43, is a graduate of the school … Tennessee Tech announced Mike Hennigan will not return from medical leave … Akron signed J.D. Brookhart to a new five-year deal, keeping him at the school through the 2010 season … Doane announced the resignation of head coach Tommie Frazier … Florida International coach Don Strock will resign at the end of the season … Jacksonville removed Steve Gilbert and named Andy McLeod interim coach … Idaho State removed head coach Larry Lewis and the entire football coaching staff after a 2-9 season … Mark Dantonio was named head football coach at Michigan State. Dantonio led Cincinnati to a 7-5 record this season, making the Bearcats bowl eligible for the second time during his three-year tenure. Dantonio spent six seasons (1995-2000) as an assistant coach at Michigan State and has 24 years of collegiate coaching experience … Chuck Amato will not return as North Carolina State’s head coach. The former Wolfpack linebacker completed his seven-year tenure at his alma mater with a 49-37 record … Miami (Florida)released Larry Coker from his post as head coach. Coker compiled a 59-15 record in six seasons as head coach, and led the Hurricanes to the 2001 BCS national championship … Arizona State removed Dirk Koetter from his role as head coach. Koetter led the Sun Devils to a 40-33 mark over six seasons and postseason berths in each of the last three years.

Football assistants – Florida State offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden resigned, effective at the end of the season.

Men’s and women’s golf – Wisconsin-Green Bay announced the resignation of men’s coach Dave Spengler.

Men’s and women’s lacrosse – St. Francis (Pennsylvania) named Stephanie Marcon head women’s lacrosse coach … Deb Draper was named head women’s coach at Worcester State.

Men’s and women’s soccer – High Point announced the resignation of men’s coach Peter Broadley … Illinois State women’s coach Pete Kowall announced his resignation after 19 years on the sidelines.

Men’s and women’s swimming and diving assistant – Chicago hired Abby Delia to be the school’s assistant men’s and women’s swimming coach and assistant director of aquatics. Delia, a swimmer at Buffalo, received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from the institution.

Men’s and women’s tennis – Tim Maluga resigned from his post as Valparaiso women’s tennis coach … Susquehanna tabbed Steve Reyes as head men’s coach. Reyes spent 10 years in the United States Army, including tours in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraq during Operation Iraqi freedom … Southeast Missouri State selected Mark Elliot as coach.

Men’s and women’s volleyball – Hofstra hired Lauren Netherby to be head women’s coach … Dave Thorn resigned his post as head women’s coach. The Lady Broncs finished the 2006 season with a 6-25 record. Thorn spent 10 years at the helm of the program, recording 112 victories … Georgia announced that women’s coach Steffi Legall will not return next season.

Sports information assistant – Kristin Keirns was selected as assistvant media relations director at Western Michigan. She replaces Paula Haughn, who left for a similar position at Ball State. Keirns most recently worked as an intern in the Michigan State sports information office.