Special to The Messenger

 

Jeremy McClain was introduced as Troy University’s new Director of Athletics by Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., at a press conference Friday morning. McClain, who has served as the Deputy Director of Athletics at Southern Miss for the past three years, succeeds John Hartwell, who was named Vice President and Director of Athletics at Utah State in July.

 

“We selected Jeremy McClain from a deep pool of applicants that included senior administrators from every major athletic conference in the nation,” Dr. Hawkins said. “He has the right combination of experience, passion and leadership skills that we were seeking in our new AD. I am certain Jeremy will build on an already solid foundation and take TROY’s program to an unprecedented level of success.”

 

At Southern Miss, McClain oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Athletics Department, which featured over 100 employees and a $24 million budget. Additionally, McClain was responsible for revenue generation, which included licensing, corporate development, fundraising and ticket sales.

 

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve Troy University as Director of Athletics,” McClain said. “There is a great history and foundation of success here, and we plan to build on that as we continue to move toward a bright future for Troy Athletics.

 

“My family and I are eager to get here and connect with the community and the fan base. It is exciting time to be a Troy Trojan.”

 

As the primary fundraiser for the Golden Eagles, McClain led a staff that set records in 2013 for the annual fund ($2 million) and the overall Southern Miss Athletic Foundation ($8 million). He was also responsible for securing funding and supervising several major facility projects – track renovation, football turf replacement, baseball weight room project, a golf practice facility and the basketball arena renovation project.

 

McClain, 39, also oversaw Southern Miss’ football scheduling and secured future home games against Mississippi State, Kentucky and BYU. He headed the search committee that tabbed Todd Monken to lead the Southern Miss football team and assisted in the search process for men’s basketball head coach Doc Sadler in 2014.

 

Prior to his time at Southern Miss, McClain served as Director of Athletics at Delta State University for five-plus years, beginning in 2007. While at Delta State, McClain developed a plan to increase student-athlete services and assist in personal development of the school’s 350 student-athletes through the expansion of the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

 

McClain also increased donations to the school’s athletic department, securing funding for the first phase of DSU’s Athletic Master Plan, as well as for a scoreboard renovations at the football, baseball, softball and basketball facilities.

 

Delta State’s on-field successes also increased under McClain. During his tenure, the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen claimed seven Gulf South Conference championships, five NCAA Regional crowns and 21 NCAA postseason appearances. In 2010, the football team appeared in the NCAA Division II National Championship Game and in 2012 the baseball team earned a runner-up finish at the NCAA Division II College World Series.

 

Prior to becoming Director of Athletics, McClain was the Director of Development for the Delta State University Foundation, where he was responsible for the annual fund, as well as soliciting major gifts.

 

McClain earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Delta State in 1999, where he was a Division II All-American in baseball. He also earned his M.B.A. from Delta State in 2002. After graduation, he played five years of professional baseball.

 

He is married to the former Christie Cannon of Calhoun City, Miss., and the couple has three children, son Cannon (10), and daughters Kate (7) and Piper (4).