Florida AD Jeremy Foley to retire after 40 years with the Gators

By Adam Silverstein
June 13, 2016
Florida AD Jeremy Foley to retire after 40 years with the Gators
Football

Image Credit: Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel

After replacing coaches in three of their major sports last offseason, the Florida Gators will now be looking to find someone to serve as athletic director after a 25-year veteran at the position and one of the most accomplished administrators in the nation in Jeremy Foley, 63, has decided to end his distinguished career.

Foley announced his retirement on Monday, effective Oct. 1, ending more than 40 years of active employment at Florida and the school’s University Athletic Association.

“You always want to leave an organization in good shape,” Foley said on Friday as shared in a school release Monday. “Right now, we obviously have a great group of coaches, we have had a good year and we’ve got things moving in the right direction. I just think that makes it a good time to transition.”

Per terms of his contract, Foley will become Emeritus Athletics Director at the time of his retirement.

Since Foley took control of the athletic program, Florida has won 27 national titles over 13 sports with three in football and two in basketball. The Gators recently extended a seven year winning streak of capturing at least one national title. Prior to Foley’s ascension into the lead chair, UF had won nine titles in five sports over its history.

Foley began as a ticket office intern at the UAA in 1976, became a full-time employee that year and worked his way all the way up to assistant athletic director in just five years, taking the role in 1981. After a short stint as interim athletic director in 1986, Foley was relegated to senior associate athletic director before taking over for good in 1992 and spending the last 25 years in his post.

“I want to do what’s right for Florida,” Foley said after explaining that this decision came after months of consideration. “That’s why I have spent a lot of time thinking it through. 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 added: “I’ve invested a lot in this place. Everybody who knows me knows I’m not putting my feet up. I still have some work to do for this organization. I think because the organization is in such good shape in terms of people and coaches and achievement, now is the perfect time. What that allows us to do is a smooth transition. That’s what you always want, a smooth transition.”

Florida notes that Foley will remain heavily involved in the facility enhancement projects that are currently ongoing on campus. The Stephen C. O’Connell Center is in the midst of a $65 million renovation that will not be completed until late December, while a new $25 million student-athlete facility, the Hawkins Center, is expected to open before July 1.

A press conference will be held on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

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