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Jeremiah Donati has been named the University of South Carolina’s 31st Director of Athletics, President Michael Amiridis announced today (Dec.5) following a meeting of the school’s Board of Trustees.

Donati comes to USC after serving as the Athletics Director at Texas Christian University since July 2017, where he led the Horned Frogs’ athletics program to new heights including eight team national championships and 11 Big 12 Conference titles. In addition to TCU being the first Texas team to appear in the College Football Playoffs, TCU’s men’s basketball program has appeared in the last three NCAA Tournaments while its baseball team won back-to-back Big 12 championships and made one appearance in the College World Series.

Introductory Press Conference

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      “I’m honored to join the University of South Carolina, a school with a rich history of athletic excellence and passionate fans. I look forward to working alongside our exceptional coaches, student-athletes, and staff to continue building on the tremendous success of Gamecock Athletics. Our goal is to be a national leader in both competitive excellence and student-athlete experience. We will compete for championships while ensuring our student-athletes are supported in all aspects of their college careers.”
      Jeremiah Donati, Director of Athletics

      Quick Facts

      • Earned a B.A. in politics and government in 2001 from the University of Puget Sound
      • Basketball student-athlete at the University of Puget Sound
      • Received a Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School in 2005
      • He and his wife, Nicole, have two daughters: Colette and Naomi
      • Member of the California Bar Association
      • Member of the Big 12 Conference’s Athletics Directors Executive Committee and Football Working Group
      • Member of Learfield’s AD Advisory Board
      • Member of the Board of Trustees for the Davey O’Brien Foundation in Fort Worth and the Coalition Academy in conjunction with the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches
      “I am thrilled to welcome Jeremiah Donati to Gamecock Nation. Jeremiah's accomplishments at TCU speak for themselves. His leadership will be invaluable as we continue to build on the successes of Gamecock Athletics and ensure that our student-athletes have the support and resources they need to compete at the highest level.”
      University of South Carolina President Michael Amiridis

      The Donati Timeline (Professional Experience)

      Athletics Director, Texas Christian University

      Deputy Athletics Director, Texas Christian University

      Associate Athletics Director & Associate Vice Chancellor for Athletic Development, Texas Christian University

      Executive Director of TCU Frog Club, Texas Christian University

      General Counsel/Director of Special Projects/NFL Player Agent, Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment

      Director of Business Affairs, Durant Management Corporation

      Athletics Marketing & Development Associate, University of Arizona

      Development Intern, California Polytechnic State

      Marketing & Development Intern, Washington State University

      What they're saying

      “Jeremiah Donati is a proven winner who has succeeded at the highest levels of collegiate athletics. We’re thrilled to welcome him and his family to our Gamecock family and look forward to seeing our program and our student athletes excel under his leadership.”

      “Since my first day as Commissioner of the Big 12, Jeremiah has been an incredible resource, partner, confidant, and friend. South Carolina is gaining a first-class leader, and I wish nothing but the best for Jeremiah and his family in this next chapter.”

      “South Carolina hit a homerun with this hire. I’ve known and worked with Jeremiah for a long time, and he is an incredible person, thoughtful leader, and puts students and people first. I am so happy for him, his wife, and his children. They’ll be a great addition to the Gamecock family.”

      “Excited for Jeremiah on this new opportunity to lead the athletics program at South Carolina. I have enjoyed working alongside Jeremiah for the better part of a decade and he has become a valued colleague and friend. As we have traversed the many challenges and uncertainties in collegiate athletics over the last few years, Jeremiah was a tremendous presence in the Big 12 Conference and has an ability to see things through an innovative lens. South Carolina is going to benefit from Jeremiah’s hard work, innovation and ability to connect with people in meaningful ways. I think the world of Ray Tanner, and South Carolina is in a great position replace one dynamic leader with another in Jeremiah. Congratulations to Jeremiah, his wife Nicole and their daughters Colette and Naomi on the move to Columbia.”

      “Jeremiah is a special leader and exceptional administrator. His progressive and visionary approach to intercollegiate athletics has made an indelible impact on TCU and our conference. He undoubtedly will do the same for South Carolina in this new chapter.”

      “I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside Jeremiah Donati for the past seven years. He has been a tremendous leader and a very forward-thinking Athletic Director within our league. We will miss having Jeremiah as a member of the Big 12 Conference. I congratulate South Carolina and wish him continued success.”

      “The hiring of Jeremiah Donati as our new Director of Athletics marks an exciting new chapter for South Carolina Athletics. His leadership, vision, and dedication to creating opportunities for student-athletes align perfectly with the values of the Gamecock Club. Jeremiah’s track record of success speaks volumes, and I am confident that under his guidance, we will continue to achieve greatness. The Gamecock Club members have always been the backbone of our program, and together, we look forward to supporting Jeremiah as he leads us into a bright and promising future. Go Gamecocks!”

      “The opportunity to work for Jeremiah Donati was a big reason why I chose to come to TCU. Establishing relationships are very important to Jeremiah and that’s what happened with us in 2017 when I was just an analyst here and he was our Deputy Athletics Director. I could see then that he was a future AD. As a coach, it’s important to know you have the full support of your athletics director and that is always the case with Jeremiah. We were fortunate to play for a national championship in 2022, and Jeremiah laid the groundwork for that through his fundraising efforts and investment in our program. Congratulations to South Carolina on a terrific hire!”

      “Jeremiah Donati made a tremendous impact on TCU and will do the same for South Carolina. He was promoted to athletics director not long after I became head coach and was always accessible and incredibly supportive with anything we needed as a program. With Jeremiah coming from a basketball background, he understood our sport so well. In this new era of collegiate athletics, he represents exactly what you need in an athletics director.”

      “Jeremiah Donati is an incredible leader, and I am very thankful to him for providing me the opportunity to come to TCU. Women’s basketball is extremely important to Jeremiah, and our players know that through the relationships he builds with them. He has been very invested in our success and ensuring we have everything we need for a first class experience. He has made a great impact on me, both on and off the court and I know he will do incredible things at South Carolina.”

      “Jeremiah Donati has been a phenomenal friend and resource to me since I came to TCU in 2012. I am forever grateful to him for providing me the opportunity to be a head coach at a place that is so special to me. A large part of the success we’ve had is because of the support and passion Jeremiah provided our baseball program and especially the student-athletes. It’s also the case for all our sports at TCU. Jeremiah takes pride in having a well-rounded athletics program and truly cares about those he serves. We wish him, Nicole and the family well in this new endeavor.”