Pacific (Oregon) recently took a major step in the development of its new football program by hiring Keith Buckley as head coach. Buckley arrives at Pacific after four seasons at UC Davis, including the last two years as assistant head coach. The hiring comes two months after Pacific’s board of trustees voted to add football to the university’s current offering of 20 intercollegiate athletics programs. The Boxers will begin varsity play in fall 2010.

Other transactions

Coaches

Baseball – New Orleans named Bruce Peddie as head baseball coach. He previously was an assistant with the program.

Men’s basketball – Clarkson hired Mark Gilbride as its men’s basketball coach.

Women’s basketball – Mitchell announced the appointment of Bernadette Macca as coach of the women’s basketball and softball programs. … Bill Wilson was hired to coach the women’s basketball team at Northland.

Men’s and women’s lacrosse – Babson named Brendan Gorman as its new men’s lacrosse coach.

Men’s and women’s swimming – Monmouth promoted assistant coach Kurt Niemeier to the head coaching position of the men’s swimming program.

Men’s and women’s tennis – Nate Price was named women’s tennis coach at Hope.

Staff

Communications – Stonehill named Doug Monson as director of athletic communications.

Senior advisors -- Jim Noyce has been named senior advisor to the athletics director at Drake. He also was named as major gifts officer.