VMI opts into NCAA house settlement for 2026-27 and introduces new football coach to aid retention

VMI's athletics director told the board the institute has opted into the NCAA "house" settlement for the 2026-27 cycle to allow limited athlete compensation that the institute hopes will improve retention.

The athletics director said the institute had previously evaluated the settlement and decided opting in aligns VMI with Southern Conference peers and provides tools to retain athletes. He said the institute has filed for a waiver with the collegiate-sports commission for a grandfathering period and is working on a fundraising plan to sustain any compensation program.

"We announced publicly that we're opting into the house settlement for 2627," the athletics director said, adding the institute will continue to ensure conduct and standards remain nonnegotiable within athlete agreements.

The athletics director also announced the hiring of Coach Ingram (started Jan. 5) as head football coach and noted several assistant-coach hires and two open positions. Board members discussed roster limits, sustainability and how agreements would tie to conduct standards.

Administration said the opt-in remains an annual institutional decision and will return to the board each March 1 as part of the athletics planning cycle.