The University of South Alabama has promoted Daniel W. McCarthy to athletic director, elevating the longtime administrator after nearly two decades with the Jaguars’ athletics program, according to a university news release.
McCarthy had served as deputy athletics director since 2017 and joined the university’s athletics staff in 2008. University officials said his experience across nearly every corner of the department made him the clear choice to lead the program going forward.
“When we looked at the future of Jaguar Athletics, it became abundantly clear that the best person to lead us forward was already a member of the University of South Alabama family,” USA President Jo Bonner said in the release. “The feedback we received from stakeholders confirmed that Dr. McCarthy’s dedication to our University and his exceptional impact at South make him uniquely qualified for this role.”
Before arriving at South Alabama, McCarthy worked as an assistant director of athletics at the University of Richmond and as a compliance coordinator at Mercer University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Huntingdon College, a master’s degree in physical education and sports studies from the University of Georgia, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of South Alabama. He is also a graduate of the university’s Leadership South and Leadership Fellows programs.
As deputy athletics director, McCarthy oversaw the department’s external operations and provided direct oversight of several sports programs, including football, baseball and softball. According to the release, he has supervised nearly every office within the athletics department and has served as the primary liaison between athletics and other university departments.
During his tenure, South Alabama’s athletics program has captured 19 Sun Belt Conference championships and made 14 NCAA postseason appearances. McCarthy also helped oversee more than $90 million in capital projects, including construction of Hancock Whitney Stadium and the Jaguar Training Center.
The program’s academic performance has grown alongside its athletic success, with South Alabama producing more than 1,600 academic all-conference honorees and nine Academic All-Americans during McCarthy’s time with the department.
“Being a part of this University and this community for the past 18 years has been such a blessing for me and my family,” McCarthy said. “I’m excited to lock arms with our coaches, staff, student-athletes, alumni, fans and friends as we pursue a bold and ambitious future.”