The Univ. of Florida yesterday announced that Jeremy Foley, the longest tenured AD in school history and "one of the most successful and respected athletic directors in the nation," is retiring, effective Oct. 1, according to a front-page piece by Robbie Andreu of the GAINESVILLE SUN. Under Foley’s 25-year watch, UF has "enjoyed unprecedented success, including 27 national championships and 130 SEC titles." He will "stay involved with the university" as Emeritus AD. Foley said of his retirement, "Timing is as good as it can be because currently we have a tremendous group of coaches and professional staff. As good as there is in the country. New leadership will inherit an incredibly talented group of people. Our budget is in good shape. All of our programs are achieving at the highest level. We are being successful without sacrificing our integrity" (GAINESVILLE SUN, 6/14). ESPN's Brett McMurphy cited a source as saying that Foley "plans to consult" with UF President Kent Fuchs during the search for a new AD, but "won't select his successor" (ESPN.com, 6/13).
ROSE THROUGH THE RANKS: The AP's Mark Long noted Foley "started in the ticket office" at UF in '76, "became a full-time employee a few months later and needed just five years" to become an Assistant AD. His rise continued until he was named AD in '92, "taking over a program that had been known mostly for cheating and mediocrity and helping turn it into a model organization accustomed to winning championships the right way." Foley yesterday "made it clear he plans to remain connected to the program, especially during the completion of several on-campus facility upgrades." Exactech Arena is undergoing a $64.5M renovation that will "be completed in December," and a $25M academic center for student-athletes is "expected to open later this month." Foley: "Everybody who knows me knows I'm not putting my feet up. I still have some work to do" (AP, 6/13).
JEREMY'S SPOKEN: Foley said of retirement, "This decision has caused me to miss many hours of sleep. ... And not in a negative way. ... I haven't spent years on it but I've spent months on it. I want to do what's right for Florida. ... And I want to make sure everyone understands this is my decision. I'm not sick; I'm not dissatisfied; I'm not getting pushed. It happens to all of us. The time comes." He said of his timing, "I've been through a million [coaching] searches, and every coach has looked me in the eye and said, 'How long are you going to be there?' And when you can't give a really good answer to that, then maybe you don't get the best. I don't want that to happen here. ... We've got things moving in the right direction here and I just think that makes it a good time to transition." He said of running a clean program, "At the end of the day, the university's brand and the (University Athletic Association's) brand is as important as anything else" (FLORIDAGATORS.com, 6/13).
LEAVING A LEGACY: In Orlando, Edgar Thompson writes whoever succeeds Foley will "face the unenviable task of succeeding a legend." Foley "saw the Gators thrive like never before, and at a level few overall programs ever have." His reach "went well beyond his program’s two revenue programs." In fact, his "commitment to non-revenue sports is as much a part of his legacy" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/14). Former UF President Bernie Machen said, "I've worked with a lot of people, and I've never worked with anybody who was better at their job than Jeremy" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/14). In Miami, Jordan McPherson notes Foley "made an effort to engage with fans" when he was in attendance at athletic events. During basketball season, he would "interact with the student section behind his seat on press row, starting brief conversations during timeouts, shaking hands with the students and usually cheering and shouting just as loud as the 9,000-plus fans" (MIAMI HERALD, 6/14). In Jacksonville, Gene Frenette writes by "no means was Foley perfect, and Gator fans let him know that" when the hires of football coaches Ron Zook and Will Muschamp "blew up in his face." But the program’s future "looks considerably brighter under second-year coach Jim McElwain." What "stands out under Foley’s watch is everybody was given the proper resources to be an SEC contender." Foley’s legacy "is clear: he genuinely cared about every aspect of the Gators' empire and had one tremendous run" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 6/14). Foley was SportsBusiness Journal's AD of the Year in '06 (THE DAILY).
BIG SHOES TO FILL: In Birmingham, Kevin Scarbinsky wrote under the header, "It May Be Tougher To Follow Jeremy Foley At Florida Than Steve Spurrier." Foley "set a high bar for his coaches and his profession, but he never lost the personal touch that marked other legendary ADs such as the late Mal Moore." He could have "been an outstanding SEC commissioner, but having grown up as a professional at Florida, rising from intern to AD, he wanted nothing more than to be a Gator" (AL.com, 6/13). In West Palm Beach, Dave George notes the "only person who has been doing the job longer at one school" is Utah AD Chris Hill, who is "coming up on 30 years." Foley is "a magician, and unfortunately for the Gators he’s about to disappear" (PALM BEACH POST, 6/14). Asked about the outlook for his successor, Foley said, "The program is in good shape for whoever sits in that chair next because of the good people. I know this staff here. I know how hard they work. I know what they are made of. I know how professional they are" (FLORIDAGATORS.com, 6/13).
ULTIMATE GATOR: In Tallahassee, Jim Henry writes, "Seminoles and Gators might not agree on much, but mutual respect can be shared." FSU AD Stan Wilcox said, "Rivalries only become great if they are truly meaningful and Jeremy was the driving force in establishing a culture and brand at the University of Florida that allowed our rivalry in all sports to become one of the best in the country." He added, "On top of his countless accomplishments, he is one of the finest people in the business. It has been a pleasure getting to know him and working with him" (TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, 6/14). In Orlando, David Whitley writes under the header, "Jeremy Foley Made A Hard Job Look Easy At UF" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/14). In Gainesville, Pat Dooley writes no AD is "better at busting chops, whether it be staff members or media or his coaches," than Foley. In many ways, Foley is "the ultimate Gator, right down to the Gator head tattoo on his right ankle." He has "always refused to believe that Florida cannot be ultra-successful in any sport" (GAINESVILLE SUN, 6/14).
TWITTER REAX: Several college execs, coaches and media members took to Twitter to praise Foley. Former UF football coach Steve Spurrier tweeted, "27 National Titles in 25 years. He will go down as the greatest AD in UF history!Congrats to JF." ESPN's Paul Finebaum wrote, "Simply put, he is the best AD in the nation." SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey tweeted, "From seat 29A of my Delta flight, there is neither enough elbow room nor characters on Twitter to type my respect/congrats for Jeremy Foley!" SEC Network's Tim Tebow: "Thank you Jeremy Foley for all you've done for @gatornation! You're a #GatorGreat." Fox Sports' Tim Brando: "Jeremy Foley got the fact that more than FB should matter, and did so while scoring 3 National Titles in the kingpin sport. AD's do matter." AP's Tim Reynolds: "Jeremy Foley is an outstanding athletic director. Props to him for getting Miami back on the Gators' schedule. Wish him a happy retirement." Yahoo Sports' Pat Forde: "One of the most accomplished men in his field. Huge, coveted opening." USA Today's Dan Wolken: "Curious if Jeremy Foley, who famously never used search firms to make hires, will be replaced by a search firm hire."
