After establishing himself as one of the top athletic directors in the country over a span of 25 years – and winning 27 national titles in the process with the Florida Gators in multiple sports - Jeremy Foley is set to retire.
The 63-year-old Gators athletic director announced his retirement Monday morning in a school press release. He will retire effective Oct. 1 after 40 years working as a member of the University Athletic Association but remain Emeritus Athletics Director following his retirement, per his contract agreement. Foley plans to still be involved in the completion of multiple facility projects that are currently planned as part of the UAA's master facility plan.
With UF baseball coach Kevin O’Sullivan reportedly staying in Gainesville, and football coach Jim McElwain and basketball coach Mike White locked in for the future, Foley feels the time is now to take the next step in his life.
"You always want to leave an organization in good shape,'' Foley said in a school release. "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.
"I want to get some of the facility planning off the ground because I've looked some coaches in the eye and told them we are going to do some things. I'm not going to back out on my word on that. I feel really good about that."
During his time as Florida’s AD, Foley accomplished a rare feat – he became the only AD in Division I history to run a program that earned multiple national titles in both football (1996, 2006, 2008) and basketball (2006, 2007). The Gators have also won national championships in softball, soccer, tennis, swimming and diving, golf, track and field and gymnastics under Foley's watch.
"I want to do what's right for Florida,'' Foley said. "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."
Foley will hold a press conference Tuesday afternoon at 5 p.m. ET to discuss his retirement.
Florida's national titles won under Foley (1992-2016):
--Women’s Tennis (6): 1992, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2011, 2012
--Football (3): 1996, 2006, 2008
--Gymnastics (3): 2013, 2014, 2015
--Men’s Indoor T&F (3): 2010, 2011, 2012
--Men’s Outdoor T&F (3): 2012, 2013, 2016
--Basketball (2): 2006, 2007
--Softball (2): 2014, 2015
--Men’s Golf (2): 1993, 2001
--Soccer (1): 1998
--Women’s Indoor T&F (1): 1992
--Women’s Swimming & Diving (1): 2010
Check back with ITG as we update this breaking story. Follow reaction to Foley's retirement and discuss it here in the Alley.
