Legendary Florida AD Jeremy Foley Named 2025 Homer Rice Award Recipient for Outstanding Contributions to College Athletics Leadership
Jeremy Foley, the iconic former athletic director at the University of Florida, has been named the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Homer Rice Award, an honor bestowed annually by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and service in college athletics. This recognition serves not only as a celebration of Foley’s remarkable career but also as a tribute to his lasting influence on the collegiate sports landscape. His name has become synonymous with excellence, innovation, and a relentless commitment to student-athlete success, and the Homer Rice Award now cements his place among the most revered figures in the history of college athletics.
Throughout a tenure that spanned over four decades, Jeremy Foley played an integral role in transforming the University of Florida into a national powerhouse across multiple sports. Appointed as the Gators’ athletic director in 1992, Foley led one of the most successful eras in the school’s history, characterized by competitive dominance, sustained academic achievement, and institutional integrity. During his time at the helm, Florida captured 27 national championships in a variety of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. Foley’s influence extended far beyond just the wins and losses; he was a visionary who set the standard for athletic excellence while always placing an emphasis on the holistic development of student-athletes.
Foley’s leadership philosophy centered on a concept that many of his peers admired but few could replicate: building a culture of comprehensive excellence. He often emphasized that success on the field must be matched by integrity off it. Under his direction, Florida’s athletic programs not only achieved competitive greatness but also excelled in the classroom and the community. He was known for his unwavering support of student-athletes’ academic pursuits and personal growth, championing programs that prioritized mental health, life skills, and career development. His commitment to these values earned him the respect of athletes, coaches, and administrators alike, and they remain hallmarks of the University of Florida’s athletic department to this day.
One of Foley’s most enduring legacies is his unparalleled ability to identify and hire elite coaching talent. Perhaps the most famous of these hires was bringing Urban Meyer to Gainesville in 2005. That decision resulted in two national championships and helped elevate Florida football to new heights. Likewise, his bold move to hire Billy Donovan to lead the men’s basketball program proved transformative, as Donovan led the Gators to back-to-back NCAA titles in 2006 and 2007. Foley’s keen eye for coaching potential wasn’t limited to marquee sports. He hired and supported exceptional leaders across the board, from gymnastics to softball to swimming and diving, ensuring that nearly every Florida athletic program was positioned for long-term success. His philosophy was simple yet powerful: hire great people, support them fully, and give them the tools to succeed.
Jeremy Foley’s achievements as an administrator were not confined to the athletic fields and arenas. He was also a masterful strategist when it came to facilities, budgeting, and compliance. During his tenure, Florida invested heavily in athletic infrastructure, ensuring that Gator athletes had access to state-of-the-art training, competition, and support facilities. These investments were made judiciously and with long-term sustainability in mind, a testament to Foley’s financial acumen and strategic foresight. His efforts laid a foundation that continues to benefit the university and its athletic programs, reinforcing the idea that Foley was always thinking about the future, not just the present.
Beyond the University of Florida, Foley’s impact was deeply felt throughout the collegiate athletics community. He was a respected voice on national committees, a trusted mentor to up-and-coming administrators, and a staunch advocate for student-athletes’ welfare. His insights and leadership helped shape conversations about the evolving landscape of college sports, from realignment to revenue sharing to the growing complexities of compliance and governance. Foley’s reputation for integrity and fairness made him a go-to figure in times of uncertainty, and his peers consistently praised his ability to balance institutional interests with the greater good of college athletics.
The Homer Rice Award, named after the legendary former Georgia Tech athletic director who pioneered the Total Person Program, is awarded annually to an athletics director who exemplifies the highest standards of leadership and service. Jeremy Foley’s selection as the 2025 recipient is both fitting and richly deserved. Like Homer Rice, Foley believed that athletics should be about more than just competition—it should be about shaping lives, building character, and preparing young people for the world beyond sports. His commitment to these ideals is evident in every aspect of his legacy and serves as a blueprint for future generations of athletic leaders.
Even in retirement, Foley has remained active in the world of sports and education. He continues to serve as an advisor and consultant, sharing his wealth of knowledge with universities and organizations seeking to improve their athletic operations. He also remains a visible presence at Florida, offering guidance and support when needed, yet always doing so with humility and deference to those currently in leadership roles. His post-retirement contributions reflect a selflessness that has long been a part of his character, as he remains focused on the success of others rather than his own accolades.
Colleagues across the country have been quick to praise Foley’s selection for the Homer Rice Award. Many have called him a “giant” in the industry, someone who not only elevated Florida but also raised the bar for what it means to be an athletic director. His peers often cite his relentless work ethic, his ethical leadership, and his deep understanding of the multifaceted challenges facing modern college athletics. More than anything, they point to his humanity—his genuine care for the people around him—as the defining trait of his extraordinary career.
The 2025 Homer Rice Award comes at a time when college athletics is undergoing significant transformation. From the growing influence of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights to the restructuring of conferences and postseason formats, the world Foley helped shape is evolving in unprecedented ways. Yet, the principles he championed—integrity, service, innovation, and student-centered leadership—remain as vital as ever. His career offers both inspiration and guidance for those navigating the complexities of this new era, and his example reminds us that great leadership is rooted in purpose and character.
As the accolades pour in and tributes are made, Jeremy Foley’s humility remains unchanged. Those who know him well say that he would deflect credit to the coaches, athletes, and colleagues who helped bring his vision to life. But those same people would be quick to assert that it was Foley’s steady hand, his clear-eyed vision, and his unwavering commitment to excellence that set Florida apart and left a legacy that will endure for decades. The Homer Rice Award may have his name on it now, but its meaning echoes through the halls of every facility he helped build, in the lives of every student-athlete he supported, and in the careers of every leader he mentored.
In accepting the 2025 Homer Rice Award, Jeremy Foley joins an elite group of administrators whose work has transcended the daily operations of athletics departments to shape the very soul of college sports. His name will now be permanently associated with the highest ideals of leadership, just as his work has already become part of the foundation upon which modern athletic programs are built. This honor is more than a recognition of a career—it is a celebration of a life devoted to excellence, integrity, and service.
In a world that often measures success in wins and losses, Jeremy Foley stands as a reminder that the true measure of greatness lies in how one leads, how one serves, and how one inspires. The 2025 Homer Rice Award is not just a well-earned tribute; it is a powerful affirmation of the legacy he leaves behind and the standard he set for all who follow.
