We understand there is plenty of work to be done, but myself and our staff are going to work tirelessly to take Southern Miss to new heights." Title. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelors in journalism, Rick has worked for the Monroe (La.) Mitchell negotiated the partnership's new long-term, multi-million dollar agreement, which began in July of 2020. Mitchell was selected as one of twelve senior-level administrators from across the country to participate in the prestigious NCAA Pathway Program for the 2021-2022 cohort. as well as searches for top Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association "During Favre's fundraising efforts, in July 2017, the Southern Miss athletic director introduced Favre to New, a Southern Miss Athletic Foundation board member, as someone who could assist Favre with the fundraising. One of his accomplishments was the renovation to Roberts Stadium. HATTIESBURG Southern Miss announced a contract extension Wednesday for Athletic Director Jeremy McClain. He knows both entities well enough to know they are fit. Rick Barnes University of Tennessee Men's Basketball Head Coach "Congratulations to Southern Mississippi on their selection of Jon Gilbert as their next athletics director. Jeff.Mitchell@usm.edu. He has been mentored and guided by some of the best leaders in this business. Fentanyl Awareness Presentation set for March 8 on Hattiesburg Campus, USM Students Named in Prestigious Graphic Design Magazine's Students to Watch List, Women's History Month Events at USM Begin March 2. Giannini founded the Southern Miss Athletic Foundation, which has raised over $100 Giannini and his wife, Gayle, are parents of four daughtersAnsley Stone, Brittney Again, the Sun Belt gives them a better opportunity to do that. After working for the NCAA in 1976 and A memorial service will be held at noon ET, Thursday, Oct. 3 in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian . }, The committee is charged with assisting University President Dr. Martha Saunders with the selection of the next athletic director, and is chaired by Spencer Adams, president of the University's Athletic . I couldn't be more excited for Jon, and for USM, that he is joining the Golden Eagle family in this capacity." Paul will work closely with Southern Miss Athletic Director Bill McGillis, Senior Associate Athletic Director Brian Morrison and the Athletic Foundation's development team in growing Eagle Club memberships and raising funds to support the athletics program. McClain's new four-year deal will keep him under contract until April 30, 2026. Early in his career, in the late 1970s, Waters worked in athletics at USM when Bobby Collins and M.K. Dale began his football career as a player at Ole Miss, where he played tackle from 1947-49. AthleticDirector@usm.edu. Ive seen it up close. There, the development office generated $82 million in gifts and pledges for the Crimson Tide Foundation, and Gilbert had oversight of the marketing and promotions department, as well as all facets of the ticket office and seat licensing program. He's just a model professional and we are going to miss him in Knoxville." Ill put it to you this way, Waters said, Southern Miss can use all that money theyve been spending on jet fuel and spend it on things that make you better. Any businessman would understand the logic: cut expenses, increase revenue and deal with partners in this case, universities that are more like-minded. Only the SEC and Pac 12 had more. Coastal Carolina baseball, which won the 2016 College World Series, finished last in its own division last season. (WHLT) - The Sports Zone 12 team will be live on Friday, March 3 for the Sun Belt Basketball Conference Championship Tournament. Florida in 1966. Well, to a lesser extent, thats kind of how it felt when Jeremy McClain returned to Southern Miss in 2016 as the new athletic director at Troy then overseeing a football program that beat the Golden Eagles on that September night. As the Broncos chief financial officer from 2014 to 2018, Mitchell led the department to three consecutive years of record financial growth with year-over-year increases in operating budgets and in revenue generation (2016-2018). He was 84 years old. Under Gilbert's leadership, Tennessee student-athletes averaged over a 3.0 grade point average, and all programs exceeded the NCAA Academic Progress Rate standard. Jeremy McClain, the Southern Miss athletic director, believes the annual travel expenses for all athletic programs will be reduced between $500,000 and a million dollars. Jan. 24, 2017. For three years, USM seemed like there was a dark cloud over their basketball program because they had a time dealing with everything from the pandemic to previous sanction concerns to the whole team transferring. "Today, we announce that he will also play a significant role in shaping . Home. One of the biggest roles I have as athletic director is to prioritize . At University of Southern Mississippi Director of Athletics Richard Giannini announced his retirement on today, effective in early January and will remain with the program through the coaching search process. He has made several key personnel decisions during his tenure at USM, including the appointment of football coach Will Hall and men's basketball coach Jay Ladner. We celebrate community and we tell your stories. 266-5017. inception to over 140 members. McClain should see a bump in pay back at Southern Miss where Gilbert just recently had a $350,000 base salary compared to McClain's $210,000 at Troy. He came back to Southern Miss from Troy where he served as athletic director for nearly four years. "Jeremy has demonstrated exemplary service and dedication to our Department of Intercollegiate Athletics," University President Rodney D. Bennett said in a news release. He knows what life is like in both leagues. Butch Jones University of Tennessee Football Head Coach "Jon Gilbert is an absolutely great hire for Southern Miss and their athletics department. Mobile App | Weather App | WXXV25 Email Sign Up. Email. Build those rivalries and fans will travel.. He came to Southern Miss after working in a similar The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. HATTIESBURG, Miss. "Our focus and expectation continues to center around improving our basketball program with Coach Ladner as our head coach," McLain said. more time with Gayle, my wife of 42 years, my four daughters and son-in-laws and my We believe that an informed Mississippi is a better Mississippi. Upon successful completion of the academic degree in athletic training, the student is eligible to sit for the Board of Certification . at games, monetary gifts, and encouragement through social media and in the community. Poole comes to Southern Miss after spending the last 11 years as the head coach at Memphis. All rights reserved. I recently had the fortunate opportunity to visit and speak with him and his son. . "Over the next few years, this strategic plan will serve as our road map as we transition to the Sun Belt and look to become one of the best athletic departments within the conference and across the country," said McClain. that time, I promised Larry I would stay four more years and help the football program HATTIESBURG, Miss. through the coaching search process. * Elite Student-Athlete Experience
4) Everyone has a role to play
Hammond has served as interim athletics director since January. New was well connected with numerous Mississippi officials, including Davis and then-Governor Bryant, and close friends with . submission: { "I am extremely humbled and honored with the opportunity to be the Director of Athletics at Southern Miss, and I want to thank President Bennett for the confidence he has in me to lead the athletic department," Gilbert said. said Giannini. team winning more games than any other team in history, and topping that with a conference element: "#evvnt-calendar-widget", Economic impact: The Hattiesburg economy hit a home run with 3 weeks of 'Baseburg'. Keep this news free and accessible to all by becoming a member and giving a recurring donation of any amount today. The Golden Eagle athletics director was a track athlete, competing an ability to build additional links to all areas of campus and focus on The success enjoyed during those Metro Conference days was one of the key factors in Southern Miss' membership today in Conference USA. athletic director for 13 years. went to the event in 2009, and the softball program which were among the final eight, With the administrative support, the larger crowds, a new conference, and an overall embrace from . McClain's new four-year deal will keep him under contract until April 30, 2026. At Southern Miss, Mitchell utilizes his extensive background in legal affairs, external relations, and revenue generation to manage the Universitys relationship with multi-media rights partner LEARFIELD. The truth, however: North Texas does not really give you the Dallas-Fort Worth TV market, any more than Florida Atlantic and Florida International give you the south Florida market. championship, it is a perfect time for me to retire. baseball team played in nine consecutive NCAA Regionals. See what is being said about Jon Gilbert being named Director of Athletics for the University of Southern Mississippi. (228) 832-2525 | newsrelease@wxxv25.com14531 Hwy 49 North Gulfport, MS 39503. He was chairman of the C-USA athletic directors' committee Deputy Director of Athletics. Director of Athletics. 266-4906. serve on several Conference USA committees and currently is the chairman of the Football Assistant Director of Athletics / Game Operations & Championships at Duke . Mitchell serves as an adjunct professor for undergraduate and graduate classes in the Southern Miss School of Business and Economic Development teaching classes on leadership and governance and policy in sport. In nearly nine years of working with Jon, I have watched a terrific person grow into an outstanding administrator who has been more than ready to sit in a director of athletics chair for some time now. Coach Sadler was formally introduced at a press conference today, May 1 at the Trent Lott Center on the Hattiesburg campus. MCEC founder Nancy New, a Southern Miss alum and former athletic foundation board member, has since pleaded guilty to fraud. Contacts for state licensure or other state regulations can be found on the Board of Certification website. evvnt_require("evvnt/discovery_plugin").init({ McClain has served as USM's athletics director since April 2019, helping to oversee the athletic programs' transition to the Sun Belt Conference from Conference USA, which is due to be completed on July 1.