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The Record

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Illinois-Springfield named Mike Zandler head baseball coach. Zandler spent the past five seasons as an assistant at Davidson, where he worked primarily with the pitching staff and served as recruiting coordinator. Zandler has also coached at Guilford and at the high school level.

Other transactions

Athletics directors – New York University AD Christopher Bledsoe has been promoted to assistant vice president for student affairs and director of athletics. Bledsoe has been at the institution since 1996.

Men’s basketball – Northeastern State head men’s basketball coach Larry Gipson is taking a medical leave of absence to treat prostate cancer. Gipson is in his 15^th season leading the program. Assistant coach Jon Havens will take over on an interim basis.

Football – Richmond hired Danny Rocco to lead its football program as head coach. Rocco was previously the head coach at Liberty since 2006 … Western Kentucky and head football coach Willie Taggart agreed to a new four-year contract. Taggart just completed his second season with the Hilltoppers … Wisconsin-Stevens Point head football coach John Miech is stepping down to pursue other football opportunities. Defensive coordinator Tom Journell will take over for Miech, the winningest coach in program history.

Conferences

The Big East Conference added Central Florida, Houston and SMU as full members. Additionally, Boise State and San Diego State will compete in football. The additions bring the league’s football membership to 10.

Deaths

Fred Thompson, a freshman on the Oregon State football team, died early Wednesday evening. Thompson was playing recreational basketball and collapsed before being transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was 19.

Send announcements – including hirings, contract extensions, retirements, milestones and deaths – to transactions@ncaa.org.