South Alabama president on athletics director search: ‘We don’t want to rush’

The Joel Erdmann era at South Alabama is officially coming to a close, marking the first time since 2009 that the Jaguars will conduct a search for a new leader of the athletics department.

A Deliberate Search for New Leadership

As Erdmann prepares to retire at the end of May, the university is moving into a transition period with Deputy AD Daniel McCarthy stepping in as interim athletics director. University president Jo Bonner emphasized that while the search process will be thorough, the school intends to take its time to ensure the right fit.

Bonner noted significant interest from the industry, stating, “I’ve personally been contacted by at least 10 different athletics directors or associate ADs from other universities who’ve basically said, ‘if you are to move forward with a search, we would like to be considered.’” Despite the high volume of potential candidates, Bonner remains focused on precision. Citing a piece of advice from USA provost Andi Kent, Bonner added, “It’s better to have a vacancy than to wish you had a vacancy. We’re going to move slower than fast, but we’re not going to drag our feet on it. We should know something by early fall.”

Celebrating a Legacy

South Alabama recently honored Erdmann with a retirement reception, highlighting a storied career that spanned 27 of the last 34 years at the university. From his start as an assistant baseball coach in the early 1990s to his return as AD in 2009, Erdmann transformed the department. Under his guidance, the Jaguars launched a football program and secured the Sun Belt Conference’s Bubas Cup all-sports trophy six times. To honor his contributions, the school announced the athletics administration building at Hancock Whitney Stadium will be renamed in his honor.

“He’s going to be a name that this university will associate with leadership and integrity for decades and decades to come,” Bonner said during the tribute.

The Path Ahead with McCarthy

The university is turning to a familiar face to keep the department moving forward. Daniel McCarthy has been with South Alabama since 2008 and previously held the role of Deputy AD since 2017. A Huntingdon College graduate with a Ph.D. from South Alabama, McCarthy has played a vital role in external operations and football scheduling.

“We were very fortunate that we had Dr. Daniel McCarthy, who has been with Joel literally almost from Day 1,” Bonner stated. “He’s already meeting with the coaches, making sure that we’re doing everything we can to continue to build on the momentum of the past.”

Since its founding in 1964, South Alabama has historically maintained long-term stability in its athletic leadership, having employed only four directors in its history: Mel Lucas, Cliff Ellis, Joe Gottfried, and Erdmann.