South Carolina shocks fans by hiring TCU's Jeremiah Donati as athletic director
- Jeremiah Donati was hired as South Carolina's athletic director with a contract running until June 30, 2031.
- Donati previously led TCU's athletic department to numerous successes over the last seven years.
- The hiring reflects South Carolina's intent to build on its current athletic success and enhance its programs.
South Carolina has officially appointed Jeremiah Donati as its new athletic director, following the approval from the university's Board of Trustees. This pivotal hiring comes after the previous athletic director, Ray Tanner, announced a transition to a special advisory role after over a decade in his position. Donati, who spent the last seven years at TCU, where he led their athletic department to significant successes, is set to begin his tenure at South Carolina on January 2, 2024. His contract runs through June 30, 2031, with a starting salary of $1.9 million that will increase annually by $100,000. This hiring marks a continued trend of South Carolina looking to TCU for athletic leadership, as Tanner was also brought in from TCU in 2012. During his time at TCU, Donati witnessed the athletics' substantial growth, including a successful 2022-23 season where multiple sports teams ranked nationally. His experience is expected to benefit South Carolina, where the athletic programs have shown promise, especially with the women’s basketball team securing three national titles since 2017 and the football program finishing the past season with a commendable 9-3 record. Under Donati's guidance, South Carolina aims to build upon this momentum and further improve its athletic facilities, with plans for stadium enhancement already in motion. This includes upgrading seating options and luxury amenities to align more closely with other top-tier programs in the Southeastern Conference. Donati expressed enthusiasm about the future, promising a culture of hard work and enjoyment within the athletic department. Given the trajectory of both the volleyball and basketball teams, along with a competitive football program, there is a strong sense of optimism surrounding Donati's appointment. The hope is that his leadership can propel South Carolina’s athletics to even greater heights in the coming years, solidifying the program's standing within the conference and nationally.