GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Long time Southeastern Conference administrator Jay Jacobs has joined the Florida athletic department as Executive Associate Athletic Director, Athletic Director
Scott Stricklin announced Tuesday.
Jacobs, who spent 30-plus years in the Auburn athletic department, including the last 13 years as Athletic Director, replaces current Charlotte AD Mike Hill, who left the Gators for his new post in March. In addition to serving as a member of the senior executive staff, Jacobs' responsibilities will include oversight of the communications, marketing, ticketing and GatorVision departments.
"Florida Athletics is fortunate to have someone of Jay's caliber joining the UAA," Stricklin said. "His character, vision, experience and ability to connect with people will be tremendous assets to our department. Additionally, having served in a leadership role in the SEC, Jay understands the great privilege and responsibility we have as a member of this wonderful conference. It's exciting to have Jay joining the Gators."
"Some people are fortunate to say they are coming home once in their careers, now I am lucky enough to say it twice," said Jacobs. "Having attended high school in Jacksonville, I'm honored and privileged to join the UAA and continue to work in the nation's best conference in the SEC. I am looking forward to working with
Scott Stricklin and the rest of the staff to help serve the Gator student-athletes, coaches and fans of the Gator Nation."
Jacobs, the 2017 NACDA / Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year and one of five finalists for the 2017 Sports Business Journal Athletics Director of the Year, played a key role in Auburn's reputation for creating one of the best game-day environments in all of college football after launching a commitment to customers earlier this decade.
He presided over $220 million in facility improvements, with an additional $96 million in stages of planning and execution on the table at the time of his retirement. He also oversaw the hiring of nutritionists, mental-health professionals and the construction of the South Donahue Residence Hall and Wellness Kitchen created to benefit the student-athlete experience.
Jacobs attended Wolfson High School in Jacksonville before heading to Auburn as a walk-on offensive lineman. He earned letters in 1982 and 1983, the latter on the Tigers first SEC Championship team in 26 years. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1985 and then served as a graduate assistant football coach from 1986 to 1988 en route to earning his MBA.
After working in the strength and conditioning department for three years, Jacobs joined the administrative staff in 1991 and was promoted to Associate Athletics Director for Operations in 1994. Seven years later he was named Senior Associate Athletics Director, where he focused on the Tigers' fundraising efforts.
Jacobs became Auburn's 14
th Athletic Director in January of 2005 and his 13-year run at the helm was the third-longest tenure in school history. Five different teams won 12 national championships under his leadership and 25 conference championship trophies were hoisted, while the department's revenue growth nearly tripled from 57.3 million in 2005 to 147.5 million in 2017.
Jacobs and his wife, Angie, raised three daughters and have opened their home to a number of foster children.
