For the first time in 12 years, the University of South Carolina will have a new face spearheading the school’s athletic programs.
USC’s board of trustees announced Tuesday afternoon that Jeremiah Donati has been named South Carolina’s new Athletics Director.
Donati, the 31st Athletics Director in school history, is set to replace former Athletics Director Ray Tanner. Tanner, who announced plans on Sept. 13 to step down from his role once replaced, will now serve as a senior adviser to university President Michael Amiridis.
Donati most recently served as the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Texas Christian University, a position he held for just under seven years.
The board of trustees approved Donati’s contract during its meeting on Thursday. He will earn a base salary of $1.9 million during the first year of his contract, and his salary is set to increase by $100,000 each year of the deal. Donati also has the opportunity to earn up to $400,000 in performance-based incentives each year.
The contract will run from Jan. 2, 2025, until June 30, 2031.
Multiple Horned Frog sports programs have experienced national success in recent seasons during his tenure. TCU claimed national championships in men’s tennis and rifle during the 2023-24 season. In 2022-23, the university saw its football team reach the College Football Playoff, its men’s basketball team reach the NCAA Tournament and its baseball team reach the College World Series. Overall, the Horned Frogs have won eight national championships and 11 Big Twelve championships under Donati.
Donati has also raised $500 million in funds from donors to support renovation projects at TCU during his time as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Prior to this role, Donati held multiple positions within TCU's athletic department after serving as the general counsel and director of player development at Leigh Steinberg Sports and Entertainment. He has also held fundraising roles within the athletic departments of the University of Arizona, Washington State University and California Polytechnic State University.