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President Fuchs believes in the University of Florida’s commitment to excellence, whether it is in the classroom or on the practice field.
Dr. Fuchs has been President of UF since January 2015 and has big plans in store for the university. However, he has one daunting task on his hands this fall: he must find a replacement for athletics director Jeremy Foley. Foley has been the Gator’s athletic director for 25 years and is looking to retire in the beginning of October.
@UF President Kent Fuchs on air with Sportscene host Steve Russell @ESPNGainesville talking athletics and academics pic.twitter.com/dWAUk3sag3
— Steve Orlando (@StephenFOrlando) September 14, 2016
UF has been doing an extensive search for the next athletics director, but Dr. Fuchs said the Gator’s aren’t looking for just anybody to fill the position. Dr. Fuchs wants an AD that will take the Gators athletic program to a new level.
In order for someone to adequately fill Foley’s big shoes, Florida is looking to hire a current AD from one of the power conferences. The five power conferences include the Big Ten, the Big 12, the PAC-12, the SEC, and the ACC.
There is not an immediate sense of urgency to find a new AD. Instead, Florida is looking for the right candidate. Luckily, Foley has told Dr. Fuchs that he is willing to stay an extra month or two until they find the right person to take over as the athletics director.
Meanwhile, Foley is working on a new facility masters plan in his remaining time at UF. Dr. Fuchs said the masters plan will enhance the softball and baseball facilities. Foley will release information on his new plan later this week.
While Dr. Fuchs supports Foley’s athletic facility extension plan, he doesn’t want certain expansions.
President Fuchs is not looking to increase enrollment at the University of Florida. He said admissions will be more selective as the state population increases.
However, the president does want to grow the faculty and Dr. Fuchs said he is looking to improve the faculty to student ratio over the next few years.
