Ray Tanner passing the torch: Jeremiah Donati steps into new role as Gamecock AD

Ray Tanner served as Carolina’s head baseball coach for 16 seasons before transitioning into his current role as the athletics director. For the past 12 years, he has overseen all 21 varsity sports. On Monday, Tanner shared a letter on Twitter directed to Gamecock fans, reflecting on his time as A.D. and offering his thoughts on his successor, Jeremiah Donati.

Since arriving in Columbia in 1997, Tanner has been at the helm of some of the biggest moments in Gamecock athletics history. As head baseball coach, he guided the team to back-to-back national championships. Under his leadership as athletics director, Dawn Staley’s women’s basketball program captured three national titles, and in 2014, the USC equestrian team clinched a national championship. Tanner also oversaw major upgrades to the practice and competition areas of every athletics program at USC. However, his tenure wasn’t without challenges, notably when the COVID-19 pandemic halted sports in 2020.

Now, as Tanner’s official time in athletics nears its end, he will hand the reins to Donati, whose official start is today. Tanner will now take on roles as athletics director emeritus and senior advisor to the president and will focus on fundraising and community engagement.

It was announced in early December that Jeremiah Donati would be the University of South Carolina’s 31st Director of Athletics, following a decision by the school’s Board of Trustees. Donati joins USC from Texas Christian University, where he served as Athletics Director since July 2017. Under his leadership, TCU’s athletics program reached new heights, including eight national championships and 11 Big 12 Conference titles. TCU also made history as the first Texas team to appear in the College Football Playoffs, while the men’s basketball team appeared in the last three NCAA Tournaments and the baseball team secured back-to-back Big 12 championships and a College World Series appearance.

The University of South Carolina warmly welcomes Jeremiah Donati as the new A.D. and look forward to his leadership as he builds on the proud traditions and guides Gamecock athletics to new heights.