Schools are alphabetized by commonly used short name, regardless of their official name. That might sound like chump change to Southeastern Conference fans, but it is a huge deal to athletic programs that don't collect millions upon millions of dollars from . He was sports editor of Hattiesburg American, executive director of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. A 21-member search committee began work on Monday toward identifying the University of Southern Mississippi's next athletic director. Today, University President Dr. Rodney Bennett announced McClain as USMs next director of athletics following his three-and-a-half year run at Troy thus concluding a four month search process following the departure of Jon Gilbert to East Carolina back in December. Southern Miss is benefiting massively on the . The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. 4) Everyone has a role to play "I want to congratulate Southern Miss on the hire of, Golden Eagle Basketball Hotline Continues Monday, Feb. 6 at Walk-On's, Southern Miss Athletics Honors Kinlock Bell, Golden Eagle Basketball Hotline Continues Monday, Jan. 23 at Walk-On's, Golden Eagle Basketball Hotline Returns Monday at Walk-On's, Golden Eagle Basketball Hotline Continues on Monday, Dec. 19, Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital. On Tuesday, McClain said his school and others who leave CUSA are contracted over two years to pay the equivalent of what a share of CUSA distribution would be for those two years. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. Rick has been recognized 13 times as Mississippi Sports Writer of the Year, and is recipient of multiple awards and honors for his reporting and writing. Giannini was officially hired on April 21, 1999. This is one time, seems to me, they got it right. Miss and we will continue those friendships for years to come.. Tough mindset serving USM teams well - Hattiesburg American Mitchell serves as the Deputy Director of Athletics with a directed focus on managing the daily operations of the Golden Eagle athletics department and providing leadership . A successful high school football coach at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, Tennessee, Freeze coached Michael Oher and Greg Hardy.He subsequently was the head football coach at Lambuth University from 2008 to 2009, Arkansas State University in 2011, the University of . I am proud to have served as sort of a mentor for Jon for the last many years and have always been impressed by his intentional efforts to grow in each and every area of responsibility he has been assigned. Jeremy McClain. The 25 strategic initiatives range across five categories, demonstrating the department's commitment to the following areas: List of NCAA Division I athletic directors - Wikipedia athletic director for 13 years. From December 2014 to August 2018, Mitchell managed the daily operations of the Santa Clara athletics department with a directed focus on external operations and revenue generation and included service as the Broncos interim Director of Athletics from April 2015 to August 2015. The Sun Belt Conference announced the addition of Southern Miss on Tuesday. Certified athletic trainers can then apply for licensure in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Contacts for state licensure or other state regulations can be found on the Board of Certification website. including three football titles, two regular season and two tournament crowns in both which included the construction of a new athletics building, the Athletic Center, On this week's episode of Inside Southern Miss Athletics, Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain stops by to talk about men's and women's basketball, the upcoming Sun Belt Conference basketball championships in Pensacola, Florida, and the start of the baseball and softball seasons. element: "#evvnt-calendar-widget", He was the director of athletics for Troy, a . 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. Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill, USM President Dr. Rodney Bennett and Southern Miss Athletics Director Jeremy McClain were present for the announcement. He has been a critical part of our basketball program over the past two years and brought valuable expertise and knowledge to our staff. In Dallas, fans still tune in to watch Texas and Texas A&M. (WDAM) - The University of Southern Mississippi announced Tuesday it will be leaving Conference USA and joining the Sun Belt Conference. at games, monetary gifts, and encouragement through social media and in the community. Email. * Where We Have Been "I have known Jon throughout his time at Alabama and Tennessee, and he brings the right kind of vision and leadership that will serve Southern Miss well. The earliest USM could enter the Sun Belt is July 1, 2022. in the weight events, at St. Leo and Furman; and graduated from the University of (WHLT) - The Sports Zone 12 team will be live on Friday, March 3 for the Sun Belt Basketball Conference Championship Tournament. went to the event in 2009, and the softball program which were among the final eight, He helped oversee the project and was instrumental in securing the additional funds needed from the legislature that helped see the project through to completion. Dont take it from me. Lee Applewhite, Director of Development. Arrangements are still being made. A shoulder injury cut short his professional career. To be sure, TV revenue wont be that much higher in the Sun Belt than it was in CUSA, but TV exposure will be much more broad. One of the biggest roles I have as athletic director is to prioritize . The Sun Belt is an ESPN league with national exposure. HATTIESBURG, Miss. If youre not able to add the byline, please include a line at the top of the story that reads: This story was originally published by Mississippi Today and include our website, You cannot republish our editorial cartoons, photographs, illustrations or graphics without specific permission (contact our managing editor. While at Ole Miss, Mitchell served as a graduate assistant in the external relations unit and worked with the Ole Miss football and mens basketball programs. General Southern Miss athletic director Jeremy McClain, left, presents a No. NCAA Government reform, and continued conference realignment, Southern Miss Athletics acknowledges the challenges and opportunities of operating a successful Division I athletics department. A win of the championship would give []. Before his departure from Santa Clara, Mitchell also assisted in the development of the Broncos new $38 million Athletics Excellence Center, which opened in the Fall of 2020. friendship and financial support to help change the face of Southern Miss athletics. McClain, the athletic director, must find new revenue streams to even hope to provide a better financial package for the next head coach. McClain previously served as the athletics director at Troy for just under four years. baseball team played in nine consecutive NCAA Regionals. Gilbert, who will begin his work no later than March 1, comes to Southern Miss from the University of Tennessee, where he has served as Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director since 2011. All rights reserved. Experienced Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing And Promotions with a demonstrated history of working in college athletics. Jonesboro (Ark.) "This is an especially sad day for me as . Giannini founded the Southern Miss Athletic Foundation, which has raised over $100 Conference USA made sense for Southern Miss back when the Golden Eagles were competing and winning against conference mates such as Memphis, Tulane, Houston, Louisville and others. }, Lessons learned at Delta State should pay dividends - Mississippi Today Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in sports marketing, advertising, sports management or other related fields and 1 year of experience in collegiate sports marketing or related field. Southern Miss' Jeff Mitchell to be named Ball State athletics director "Our goal is to provide our student-athletes with the best college experience possible, while having success on the field, in the classroom and in the community. "Southern Miss perfectly matched those parameters, and my colleagues look forward to welcoming President Bennett and his colleagues to the Sun Belt Conference." The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910 and located in Hattiesburg, Miss., is a Tier-1 Research University that supports a student population of over 14,000. Mitchell joined Southern Miss after a twelve-year stint at Santa Clara University where he most recently served as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations. Phone. Southern Miss Director of Athletics Richard Giannini Announces The Amory . Sports Director Blake Levine will be live from the Pensacola Bay Center for the tournament with the latest updates and coverage on Southern Miss. 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. Advertisement. conference football highlight films. 12/08/2011 - 19:34pm | By: Jack Duggan. He also trimmed operating expenses in multiple areas, negotiated a multi-million-dollar apparel deal for athletic programs, and planned, installed and managed the department's cost-of-attendance program. as well as searches for top Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association Home. 1966 to 1970, was sports information director at Duke from 1970 to 1973, before becoming Turk in men's basketball, Kay James in women's basketball, Hill Denson in baseball and Marshall Bell in track and field. inception to over 140 members. "I am excited about the future of Southern Miss Athletics under the leadership of Jon Gilbert," said President Bennett. Tournament basketball games not aired by NBC. 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. A memorial service will be held at noon ET, Thursday, Oct. 3 in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian . AthleticDirector@usm.edu. Southern Miss announces new Athletic Director - SuperTalk Mississippi He was 84 years old. 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. Southern Miss athletic director Jeremy McClain, left, presents a No. Since the announcement of his hiring on April 8, 2019, McClain has done just that. The Hattiesburg economy hit a home run with 3 weeks of 'Baseburg'. The #ToTheTop25 Strategic Plan can be viewed by clicking here. For the Golden Eagles, Mitchell serves as the sport administrator for mens basketball and baseball in addition to serving as the administrator for football scheduling. In addition, Giannini spearheaded a total makeover of the school's athletic facilities, Following his Ole Miss career, Dale played in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game before playing defensive end during the 1950 season with the Washington Redskins. The larger facility was a key factor in helping to upgrade the schedule by getting more formidable opponents to come to Hattiesburg. "Employees at the University and the people of the Hattiesburg community are getting a wonderful family and a tremendous leader to join their own family. Cox also visits with He. "Southern Miss has lost a legend as Roland Dale was an exceptional man, coach, and athletic director," said Southern Miss Interim Athletics Director Jeff Hammond. CUSAs main TV partners are CBSSports Network not to be confused with CBS and Stadium. Jeff.Mitchell@usm.edu. Any amount helps us keep producing quality journalism for Mississippi. Golden Eagle Basketball Hotline Continues Monday, Feb. 6 at Walk-On's, Southern Miss Athletics Honors Kinlock Bell, Golden Eagle Basketball Hotline Continues Monday, Jan. 23 at Walk-On's, Golden Eagle Basketball Hotline Returns Monday at Walk-On's, Golden Eagle Basketball Hotline Continues on Monday, Dec. 19, Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital. partner_name: "WXXV 25", Mitchell spent five years at USM after being hired in August 2018 . Southern Miss Athletic Foundation / Eagle Club. 0:36. - University of Southern Mississippi President Rodney D. Bennett has announced the hiring of Jon Gilbert as the University's Director of Athletics. We will miss him at Tennessee but looking forward to following his career at Southern Miss.". University of Southern Mississippi Salaries - Mississippi Only the SEC and Pac 12 had more. 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. The Bachelor of Science degree program in athletic training (AT) is designed to provide students with a firm foundation in the professional preparation for a career in athletic training. You have to credit Mississippi Today. we completed the new south end-zone complex in Roberts Stadium, said Giannini. Let's put it this way: Steve Campbell, the South Alabama coach who whipped Southern Miss last Thursday night, makes $600 grand a year. 39401 "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. Dave Hart University of Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics "This is a red-letter day for Southern Miss Athletics and The University of Southern Mississippi with the hiring of Jon Gilbert as Director of Athletics. Deonne Moore - Assistant Athletics Director for External Operations at To The Top! "I look forward to continuing to work with our outstanding coaches, staff, and student-athletes to capitalize on our momentum and chart a new path forward.". The former Southern Miss Golden Eagle athletics director and coach, Roland Dale passed away Sunday night in Jackson, MS. Southern Miss pays its football assistant coaching staff $820,000 annually, the fourth-lowest total in the FBS in 2017. . Mobile, Lafayette, Monroe and Troy are easy drives from Hattiesburg. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelors in journalism, Rick has worked for the Monroe (La.) Our focus is to continue to enhance the profile and success of The University of Southern Mississippi and Assistant Director of Athletics / Game Operations & Championships at Duke . Dr. Dennis Phillips, Faculty Athletic Representative. The former Southern Miss Golden Eagle athletics director and coach, Roland Dale passed away Sunday night in Jackson, MS. While working for the NCAA in the mid-1970s, Giannini's responsibilities included Champions program, a group who have each committed $100,000, and has grown since its Rebecca Wilusz, Ph.D. on LinkedIn: Thank you to NCS Southern Miss. for position at Louisiana-Monroe. Founded in 2016 as the states first nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom, Mississippi Todays roots in Capitol coverage have grown to encompass a myriad of beats beyond politics and policy, including education, public health, justice, environment, equity, and, yes, sports. I am most grateful to our donors for their Southern Miss officially announces it will join Sun Belt in 2023 - WLOX Categories: Announcements athletics Community Faculty and Staff Gulf Coast, 118 College DriveHattiesburg, MS 39406-0001, 730 East Beach BoulevardLong Beach, MS 39560. "I think anybody in this situation is going to . virtual: false, You cant edit our stories, except to reflect relative changes in time, location and editorial style. Photo courtesy of USM Athletics Southern Miss has found their next Athletic Director. MCEC founder Nancy New, a Southern Miss alum and former athletic foundation board member, has since pleaded guilty to fraud. The Broncos also claimed two postseason tournament titles in mens basketball in 2011 (CIT) and 2013 (CBI). "Our focus and expectation continues to center around improving our basketball program with Coach Ladner as our head coach," McLain said. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. - In conjunction with the school's first year in the Sun Belt Conference, Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain announced today the completion of a comprehensive strategic plan that will run through the end of 2025.