Jeremiah Donati has been named the University of South Carolina’s 31st Director of Athletics, as announced by USC President Michael Amiridis on December 5 following a Board of Trustees meeting.
Donati joins the Gamecocks after a highly successful tenure at Texas Christian University, where he served as Athletics Director since 2017. Under his leadership, TCU achieved unprecedented success, including eight team national championships, 11 Big 12 Conference titles, and becoming the first Texas school to compete in the College Football Playoffs. The Horned Frogs’ men’s basketball team also made three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, while their baseball team secured back-to-back Big 12 titles and a trip to the College World Series.
“I’m honored to join the University of South Carolina, a school with a rich history of athletic excellence and passionate fans,” said Donati. “Our goal is to be a national leader in both competitive excellence and student-athlete experience. We will compete for championships while supporting our student-athletes in all aspects of their college careers.”
President Amiridis praised Donati’s accomplishments and expressed confidence in his leadership. “Jeremiah’s track record at TCU speaks for itself,” Amiridis said. “His vision and experience will be invaluable as we build on the successes of Gamecock Athletics and provide our student-athletes with the resources to compete at the highest level.”
During the 2023-24 season, TCU was one of only five schools nationally to win multiple NCAA championships. Donati also oversaw significant fundraising efforts, generating record levels of donor support and facilitating nearly $500 million in facility upgrades.
Donati’s tenure at TCU included the creation of the Tomlinson Student-Athlete Development Endowment Fund in collaboration with football legend LaDainian Tomlinson, aimed at preparing athletes for life after graduation.
Before his time at TCU, Donati held roles in professional and collegiate athletics, including positions with the University of Arizona, Washington State University, and Cal Poly University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in politics and government from the University of Puget Sound, where he played basketball, and a Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School.
Donati succeeds Ray Tanner, who has served as USC’s Athletic Director since 2012 and will transition to the role of Athletics Director Emeritus and Senior Advisor to the President.
Donati, his wife Nicole, and their two daughters, Colette and Naomi, will soon join the Gamecock community. The search for a new athletic director began in September 2024 and was assisted by Funk Associates executive search firm.
Courtesy of TCU Athletics | Photo by Gregg Ellman