From the Desk of a Gamecock Visionary: Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati Opens Up About South Carolina’s Meteoric Rise to No. 6 National Ranking, the Power of Community, NIL Challenges, and a Future Anchored in Excellence, Culture, and Unshakable Belief

In a quiet office overlooking the thriving athletic complex of the University of South Carolina, Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati reflects not only on a season of unprecedented success but also on a transformative era in Gamecock history. Under his leadership, South Carolina has surged to a No. 6 national ranking in the latest Directors’ Cup standings, its highest ever, fueled by sustained excellence across all sports and a renewed culture of belief, unity, and resilience.

It’s a rise that few predicted — but one that Donati, hired away from TCU in 2024, says was never in doubt internally. “We believed we had all the ingredients here to build something special,” he says, seated in his signature garnet tie, his office adorned with photos of Gamecock triumphs past and present. “What’s happened over the past 18 months is not a fluke. It’s the result of vision, hard work, alignment — and the unwavering support of this incredible Gamecock community.”

Since his arrival, Donati has led with a bold clarity of purpose. While the university has long had pockets of success — from baseball national championships to a perennial women’s basketball powerhouse — Donati’s mission was broader: a top-down elevation of the entire athletic department.

“We didn’t want to just be great in one or two sports,” he says. “We wanted comprehensive excellence.”

That meant investment in facilities, expanded mental health resources, and a renewed emphasis on athlete development, both on and off the field. The impact was swift. The 2024–25 academic year saw Gamecock teams achieve historic milestones:

• Football posted a 10-win season, finishing in the top 15 under coach Shane Beamer.
• Women’s basketball, under Dawn Staley, returned to the Final Four.
• Men’s basketball punched its first NCAA tournament ticket in nearly a decade.
• Baseball advanced to the College World Series.
• Track and field, golf, and soccer teams also registered top-10 national finishes.

“South Carolina is no longer the sleeping giant,” Donati says. “We’ve woken up — and now, we’re setting the pace.”

Ask Donati what drives success, and he doesn’t immediately cite talent or resources. He talks about culture.

“One of the first things we did was define who we are and what we stand for,” he says. “We created core values — belief, accountability, service, and relentless effort. And we built everything around that.”

That cultural shift extended beyond locker rooms. Donati’s leadership style has emphasized transparency, inclusivity, and unity. Monthly roundtables with athletes from all sports, quarterly meetings with coaching staffs, and new mentorship initiatives across teams have reinforced a shared sense of purpose.

Athletes have noticed.

“There’s a different energy here now,” says All-American linebacker Stone Blanton. “You feel supported. You feel seen. There’s pride in wearing that Gamecock jersey.”

But Donati’s tenure hasn’t been without complexity. At the heart of college athletics today lies Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) — a seismic shift reshaping recruiting, retention, and revenue.

Donati has embraced NIL, but with measured strategy.

“We believe our student-athletes should benefit from their brand and impact,” he says. “At the same time, we’re committed to doing it the right way — with integrity, compliance, and long-term sustainability.”

To that end, South Carolina launched the Gamecock Legacy Collective — a donor-driven NIL arm — in 2024. The initiative, guided by ethical frameworks and coordinated with university leadership, has signed over 200 student-athletes across all sports to structured NIL deals, including opportunities in community service, media training, and entrepreneurship.

“We’re not just cutting checks,” Donati says. “We’re investing in futures.”

Still, he admits the challenges are real.

“There’s no salary cap, no standardization. It’s the Wild West,” he says. “We’ve lost recruits because other schools offered more. That’s the reality. But we believe in our model — and we’re not going to compromise our values.”

More than facilities or funding, Donati believes the Gamecock community is South Carolina’s greatest asset.

“I’ve worked in a lot of places — but I’ve never seen a fanbase like this,” he says. “Through thick and thin, our people show up, cheer loud, and give back.”

That loyalty has translated into tangible momentum. Under Donati’s watch, Gamecock Club membership has surged 18%, setting a school record. Average football attendance ranked top 10 nationally. Women’s basketball again led the nation in attendance. And the newly renovated Founders Park is expected to host record crowds this baseball season.

Perhaps most impressive: fundraising.

In the 2024–25 cycle, South Carolina raised more than $98 million in donor contributions, a department record. Much of it has gone toward athlete support, including new nutrition hubs, medical technology, and expanded academic centers.

“Our fans are not passive spectators,” Donati says. “They’re partners in this journey.”

Despite the numbers and national buzz, Donati’s approach remains deeply personal. He makes time to attend practices. He writes handwritten notes to athletes who excel. He’s been known to walk through campus with a student-athlete, listening more than talking.

“I never want to be just a suit in an office,” he says. “If you want to lead a program, you’ve got to know your people — their dreams, their struggles, their stories.”

That people-first ethos has earned Donati praise from both athletes and staff.

“He’s authentic,” says women’s soccer coach Shelley Smith. “He leads with heart.”

Donati credits his own journey — from law school to fundraising to athletic leadership — for shaping that style.

“I wasn’t a star athlete,” he says with a grin. “I was the kid doing stats and working the phones. But I always loved the idea of building something that matters.”

While the present is promising, Donati’s gaze is firmly fixed on the future.

This spring, he unveiled Vision 2030 — a strategic roadmap for South Carolina Athletics. The plan includes:

• Completion of a $200 million football operations and indoor training complex by 2027.
• A new Olympic Village to house track, soccer, tennis, and softball operations.
• A Gamecock Athlete Leadership Academy to develop skills beyond sports.
• Expanded partnerships with academic departments for internships and innovation.
• An emphasis on sustainability, with a goal of carbon-neutral athletic events by 2032.

“Championships are great — and we’re going to win more,” he says. “But I want this place to be the gold standard of college athletics — where performance, character, and purpose intersect.”

Donati also emphasizes inclusion and equity. South Carolina now boasts the highest percentage of female athletes in leadership councils in the SEC, and several women’s sports have received enhanced staffing and media coverage.

“Equity is not a trend — it’s a necessity,” he says.

When asked how he wants to be remembered, Donati doesn’t hesitate.

“I hope they say I built something that lasted — and that I treated people right,” he says. “Wins are great. But if we’ve empowered young people, uplifted this community, and elevated the brand of South Carolina nationally, then we’ve done our job.”

He pauses and looks out his office window — where the garnet-and-black flags ripple in the breeze, and student-athletes hustle to and from practice.

“This is sacred ground to me,” he says. “We’ve got more work to do. But I believe — now more than ever — that the best days in Gamecock history are still to come.”