UT

Gilbert leaving Tennessee to become Southern Miss AD

Rhiannon Potkey
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
Jon Gilbert is leaving the University of Tennessee to become the athletic director at Southern Miss.

University of Tennessee executive senior associate athletic director Jon Gilbert is leaving UT to become the athletic director at Southern Miss.

Gilbert has been the executive senior associate athletic director at UT since being hired by athletic director Dave Hart in 2011. Hart is retiring, effective June 30. UT is currently in the search process to find Hart's successor. Some media reports floated Gilbert's name as a potential candidate.

“In nearly nine years of working with Jon, I have watched a terrific person grow into an outstanding administrator who has been more than ready to sit in a director of athletics chair for some time now," Hart said in a statement released by Southern Miss.

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At Southern Miss, Gilbert replaces Bill McGillis, who resigned in December to take the same job at the University of San Diego.

“I am excited about the future of Southern Miss Athletics under the leadership of Jon Gilbert,” Southern Mississippi President Rodney D. Bennett said in the school release. “He brings to The University of Southern Mississippi an extensive background in athletic administration at the highest levels. As we continue building upon the historic success of our programs, Jon Gilbert is the right person for the right time.”

Before coming to UT, Gilbert served as the associate athletic director for external operations at the University of Alabama. He was a member of the executive leadership team that Hart developed and led at Alabama. Gilbert served in numerous capacities within the Alabama athletics department, including responsibility for external operations, athletics development, facilities and event management, the ticket office, and oversight of numerous sports programs.

“I am extremely humbled and honored with the opportunity to be the Director of Athletics at Southern Miss, and I want to thank President Bennett for the confidence he has in me to lead the athletic department,” Gilbert said. “I would also like to thank the athletic director interview committee for their time and effort throughout the process.”

Gilbert is a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C., where he played football. He earned his master's degree at Eastern Kentucky University, where he served as a graduate assistant under football coach Roy Kidd.

Gilbert is the second member of Hart's staff to leave in the last three months. Senior associate athletics director Chris Fuller left UT in November to become the deputy athletics director at Syracuse University.

"We’re already busy with people to absorb some of those responsibilities,’’ Hart told the News Sentinel.

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