Jeremy Foley (left) is greeted by UF president Kent Fuchs as he takes the podium during his Tuesday news conference in the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium press box.
Foley Will Have Advisory Hand in Picking Successor
Tuesday, June 14, 2016 | General, Chris Harry
UF athletic director Jeremy Foley had a news conference Tuesday to discuss the announcement of his retirement, effective Oct. 1.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Monday was a day for the news to break. University of Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley met early in the morning with his senior staff and coaches to inform — and surprise — them with the announcment he was retiring, effective Oct. 1. An official announcement went out soon after. Foley, nearly 25 years on the job and more than 40 at the school, kept as low a profile as possible as the story sent ripples through the state and beyond.
Foley, in fact, didn't even go to the Florida-Florida State decisive Game 3 of their Super Regional Monday night. Didn't want be a distraction.
So he watched UF's 7-0 College World Series-clinching win from home.
Early Tuesday, Foley called his entire University Athletic Association staff, more than 400 strong, to the Champions Club in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for an 8:30 a.m. meeting to speak to everyone in person. His remarks were brief — and a couple times emotional. He left to a standing ovation, but as he walked away turned back to the crowd and shouted some marching orders.
"Get back to work!"
Then, late Tuesday afternoon, Foley held a press conference and finally took questions. After a few opening remarks from UF president Kent Fuchs, Foley spoke of his early days as a ticket intern in the '70s, the dark probation-marred days of the '80s, the glorious '90s when he got the job and the championships and memories that ensued.
Yes, he got a little emotional at times there too.
But he also talked about what's next for the Gators. While Foley and Fuchs were a long, long way from talking about who's next, both acknowledge the current AD will be closely involved with honing in a future one — though he will not make the choice.
"I think I'll play a role to the extent I know this business, I know the profession. I'm sure I'll know some of the candidates," Foley said. "Kent has indicated to me that he will use me as a resource, but at the end of the day the process that gets put in place will be Kent's, and the decision will be Kent's."
Fuchs said a search committee would be formed, but for now the only person on that committee was Manny Fernandez, the former UF Board of Trustees chair who has agreed to head up the search. A consultant (other than Foley) will also be used in the process, with several candidates already reaching out to the school about the pending vacancy, Fuchs said.
Whoever winds up in the AD chair, Fuchs promised, will have the same vision as Foley with regard to across-the-board quality in the overall program. That will be a prerequisite.
"Has to be. Has to," Fuchs said. "Our next athletic director has got to support this breadth of excellence across all 21 of our sports. We want somebody who understands that all of them are important. Obviously, revenue comes from football and basketball, but we want to be contenders every year in all 21 of them. That's important to me, but it's also part of our DNA."
Foley's DNA also.
Foley, in fact, didn't even go to the Florida-Florida State decisive Game 3 of their Super Regional Monday night. Didn't want be a distraction.
So he watched UF's 7-0 College World Series-clinching win from home.
Early Tuesday, Foley called his entire University Athletic Association staff, more than 400 strong, to the Champions Club in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for an 8:30 a.m. meeting to speak to everyone in person. His remarks were brief — and a couple times emotional. He left to a standing ovation, but as he walked away turned back to the crowd and shouted some marching orders.
"Get back to work!"
Then, late Tuesday afternoon, Foley held a press conference and finally took questions. After a few opening remarks from UF president Kent Fuchs, Foley spoke of his early days as a ticket intern in the '70s, the dark probation-marred days of the '80s, the glorious '90s when he got the job and the championships and memories that ensued.
Yes, he got a little emotional at times there too.
But he also talked about what's next for the Gators. While Foley and Fuchs were a long, long way from talking about who's next, both acknowledge the current AD will be closely involved with honing in a future one — though he will not make the choice.
"I think I'll play a role to the extent I know this business, I know the profession. I'm sure I'll know some of the candidates," Foley said. "Kent has indicated to me that he will use me as a resource, but at the end of the day the process that gets put in place will be Kent's, and the decision will be Kent's."
Fuchs said a search committee would be formed, but for now the only person on that committee was Manny Fernandez, the former UF Board of Trustees chair who has agreed to head up the search. A consultant (other than Foley) will also be used in the process, with several candidates already reaching out to the school about the pending vacancy, Fuchs said.
Whoever winds up in the AD chair, Fuchs promised, will have the same vision as Foley with regard to across-the-board quality in the overall program. That will be a prerequisite.
"Has to be. Has to," Fuchs said. "Our next athletic director has got to support this breadth of excellence across all 21 of our sports. We want somebody who understands that all of them are important. Obviously, revenue comes from football and basketball, but we want to be contenders every year in all 21 of them. That's important to me, but it's also part of our DNA."
Foley's DNA also.
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