GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Born and raised in Mississippi, and with stops at Auburn and Kentucky on his resume, Scott Stricklin has spent more than two decades in the Southeastern convention.
He is aware of the league inner and out, and has witnessed pretty lots everything during his career. So he is aware the daunting task of following Jeremy Foley. He also welcomes the opportunity.
Florida hired Stricklin as its athletic director Tuesday, giving him a six-yr deal price $1.076 million yearly to be triumphant Foley. Stricklin is leaving his alma mater, Mississippi State, and taking over a enormous amenities improve in Gainesville. The bigger challenge just might be changing Foley, one of the vital a success faculty activities leaders within the nation.
''i admire so much what has took place here,'' Stricklin said. ''So it changed into a lot more exhilaration than it turned into trepidation. it's a lot more suitable commencing from a place of a spot it is aware of success, is aware of the way to exhibit that success, have the appropriate americans in location. ... i'm going to advantage from all the work he's carried out. So I see it as nothing but a good.''
Foley had been scheduled to retire Saturday after 40 years with the Gators, together with the remaining 25 as athletic director. right through Foley's tenure, the Gators gained 27 country wide championships in 10 sports and 130 SEC titles. He now will continue to be in place unless Nov. 1, creating a little added transition time.
Foley has the choice of serving as emeritus ad and senior adviser to the college president for 5 years after his retirement, both full or part time. He can also decide to be an adviser to Stricklin.
''i may be very respectful,'' Foley stated. ''i'm not trying to be the ad in the back of the curtain. ... he's not going to fail. everybody are going to do everything we will to make him now not fail, and i'm going to do my half in that. i could appreciate him, admire the decision he is made and i want to do all i can to aid him. it really is going to investigate the place he needs me.''
Stricklin has been the Bulldogs' advert considering 2010. He has a heritage in fundraising, so as to serve him well at Florida.
Foley unveiled plans two weeks ago to spend $100 million to convey Florida's athletics application up to date, together with building a one hundred,000-rectangular-foot, stand-alone soccer facility.
Stricklin spearheaded more than $a hundred and forty million in facility advancements all through his time at Mississippi State. He also oversaw colossal increases in booster membership membership and donations.
Florida first contacted Stricklin concerning the opening in June. They talked on and off for a couple of months earlier than negotiations heated up in August. The sides agreed to the deal closing week, and it grew to be legit when the school Athletic association's board of trustees unanimously accepted the employ Tuesday.
For Stricklin, the determination changed into a no brainer. He noted many times that Florida is the handiest job he would have left Mississippi State to take.
''The best consistent in existence is change,'' Stricklin mentioned. ''So we've two choices, right? we can either sit down again, sort of let every little thing circulation round us, or we will keep pushing forward and making certain Florida maintains its place as the pre-eminent athletic branch within the nation.
''To do that, we should be innovative. We need to be artistic. We should be progressive. We should proceed to push the envelope in the entire appropriate ways to make sure Florida maintains its advantage that or not it's had for thus many years.''
Florida has developed a acceptance as a strong tutorial establishment and has a successful culture few faculties can match. Stricklin can earn up to $200,000 a 12 months in performance bonuses tied to academic and athletic success.
''it be the surest job in college athletics,'' spoke of Stricklin, who additionally hung out at Tulane and Baylor.
it be certainly within the dialog. The Gators have gained the SEC's All-activities Trophy 24 of the final 25 years.
Stricklin's wife and two daughters, Abby and Sophie, joined him at the introductory news conference. One was born in Waco, Texas; the other in Lexington, Kentucky. they have moved with their father and switched allegiances a couple of instances already. now not quite then, they gave the impression comfortable decked out in orange and blue.
''You finally bought the optimal colors within the SEC,'' Foley advised them.
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AP school soccer website: www.collegefootball.ap.org
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