ATN Podcast 409: Big Red’s big run, new top River Hawk, JCU’s new QB
Denison University's athletic program is on a historic run, capturing three national championships in the 2025-26 season across different sports—baseball, tennis, and swimming—making it the only Division III school to win multiple titles without being a state school, NESCAC, or UAA member. This surge in success comes despite the departure of standout quarterback Tyler Green, who transferred from Denison to in-state rival John Carroll University, a move that reshapes the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) landscape. Meanwhile, Susquehanna University welcomed new head coach Chris Pincense, who is navigating a challenging offseason marked by eight underclassmen transfers and a complete overhaul of offensive schemes. Pincense, returning to Division III after years in Division II, emphasizes player development, team culture, and academic integrity, while also inheriting a strong defensive foundation and a deep roster of experienced players. The episode also highlights the growing instability in Division III athletics, with financial concerns looming over schools like Birmingham Southern and Anna Maria, and the potential impact of NCAA rule changes like the proposed five-year eligibility rule, which could benefit some D3 athletes seeking NIL opportunities at higher levels. Despite these challenges, the podcast underscores the resilience and community-driven spirit that defines Division III football and college sports.
Denison University won three national championships in 2025-26 across baseball, tennis, and swimming, making it the only non-state, non-NESCAC, non-UAA school to achieve multiple titles in a single season.
Tyler Green, Denison’s two-year starting quarterback, transferred to John Carroll University, marking a major shift in the NCAC and elevating John Carroll’s quarterback prospects.
Susquehanna’s new head coach Chris Pincense inherited a roster with eight underclassmen transfers and a completely new offensive system, but retained key defensive leaders and a strong culture of player development.
The transfer portal is now a strategic tool for conference realignment, with intra-conference moves like Green’s transfer to John Carroll reshaping competitive balance in the NCAC.
Despite financial instability at some D3 schools, the culture of academic integrity and player development remains a core strength, with coaches like Pincense and Hatem prioritizing long-term team building over short-term wins.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Preseason Top 25 Challenges
The hosts critique the lack of depth and accuracy in most preseason Division III football rankings, emphasizing the difficulty of creating a credible top 25 without knowing team rosters and player availability in May or June.
Grilling and Hot Dog Culture
A lighthearted segment on personal hot dog preferences, with hosts sharing stories about their shift from ketchup to mustard and the cultural significance of condiments in American sports fandom.
Tyler Green’s Transfer to John Carroll
“Tyler Green, he is a really, really talented player. Here's what he did in two years at Denison. As a freshman, he won the NCAC Newcomer of the Year Award. In his second year, he broke Denison's single-season passing record, nearly threw Denison to a win over DePauw.”
Castleton’s Return to MASCAC
Castleton State’s return to the MASCAC after two years in the NJAC is discussed, with emphasis on geographic and competitive alignment, as well as the conference’s need for stability and schedule balance.
Denison’s Athletic Success in 2025-26
“You've been at this for quite some time, right? This is a 17th year coming up here. I look at, you know, I'm getting up there. I graduated college more than 30 years ago now and I look at coaches who have graduation years from their alma maters significantly further ago than mine and I'm like, oh, I kind of wonder what keeps this guy going?”
“You know, we're not going to be a team that throws it 80 times a game and turns it over and do those things. That's not what wins football games. You know, I gave up being a solo offensive coordinator a long time ago. I get paid to win games now, not just necessarily score points.”
“Tyler Green, he is a really, really talented player. Here's what he did in two years at Denison. As a freshman, he won the NCAC Newcomer of the Year Award. In his second year, he broke Denison's single -season passing record, nearly threw Denison to a win over DePauw.”
“It's like when we talk about the person trying to find a person these days in major league baseball who would even win 300 games, let alone threaten Cy Young's record for career wins. That's a big number.”
Hosts
Guests
Denison University
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D3Football.com
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North Coast Athletic Conference
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Chris Pincense
person
Susquehanna University
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Jack Hatem
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John Carroll University
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Tyler Green
person
MASCAC
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Castleton State
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