Florida hires Stricklin to follow Foley as athletic director

Scott Stricklin MSU photo
Scott Stricklin MSU photo
Scott Stricklin
MSU photo

GAINESVILLE, Florida (AP) — Florida hired Scott Stricklin as its athletic director Tuesday, giving him a six-year deal worth $1.076 million annually, and said Jeremy Foley will remain on the job for another month.

The University Athletic Association voted unanimously to approve the moves at a board meeting Tuesday.

Stricklin is leaving his alma mater, Mississippi State, and will take on a massive facilities upgrade in Gainesville. Foley had been scheduled to retire Saturday after 40 years with the Gators, including the last 25 as athletic director. He now will remain in place until Nov. 1, creating extra time for a changeover.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity at Florida,” Stricklin said in a statement. “I’m an SEC guy. I understand the position Florida holds in college athletics. I’m excited to come and be part of the department. It’s a great staff here to work with. I love college towns. The opportunity to come and get invested in another community, with my family, you start balancing all that and you understand at this point in my career this is an opportunity you just can’t not do.”

The Gators will formally introduce Stricklin later Tuesday.

“We’re confident that he will build on Jeremy Foley’s legacy to take UF’s program to even greater heights while leading the way in shaping the future of collegiate athletics nationally,” University of Florida President Dr. Kent Fuchs said.

Stricklin has been the Bulldogs’ AD since 2010. He has a background in fundraising, which will serve him well at Florida.

Foley unveiled plans two weeks ago to spend $100 million to bring Florida’s athletics program up to date, including building a 100,000-square-foot, stand-alone football facility.

Stricklin, a Jackson, Miss., native who has 23-plus years in the Southeastern Conference, spearheaded more than $140 million in facility improvements during his time at Mississippi State. He also oversaw significant increases in booster club membership and donations.

He also spent time at Auburn, Tulane, Baylor and Kentucky.

“I couldn’t have left for any other place but Florida,” Stricklin said. “It’s just a special place not only in the world of the SEC, but in college athletics because of the success they’ve had and the way they’ve had it with the integrity. Florida holds a leadership position in college athletics. And you look at the academic reputation, it’s one of the best universities in the country. That’s a pretty hard combination to not take the opportunity if it’s offered to you.”

Stricklin was named the 2015-16 Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of College Directors of Athletics.

Now, he has the tough task of filling Foley’s shoes. Foley helped make Florida one of top athletic programs in the country. The department’s operating budget rose from $30 million to more than $119 million during his tenure, which included 27 national championships and the SEC’s All-Sports Trophy every year except one.

“I’ve known Scott on a personal and professional level for a long, long time,” Foley said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Scott and what he has accomplished at Mississippi State and the other institutions where he has worked. Scott is a wonderful leader and a great person. He has passion for student-athletes and loves working with and supporting coaches. Those two qualities alone make him a great fit for Florida.”

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