Jeremy McClain
Jeremy McClain was hired as Southern Miss’ seventh Director of Athletics on April 8, 2019.
In just the first few months upon his arrival, McClain hired new coaches for the sports of men’s basketball and softball, and oversaw the completion of the Wellness Center, which the volleyball program will utilize for the future. In addition, McClain directed the final stages of the Bower Academic Center, which will be housed in the Cook Library.
McClain returned to the University after serving as the Director of Athletics at Troy University since August of 2015. He served as the Deputy Director of Athletics at Southern Miss for three years prior to his departure to Troy.
McClain dedicated his first year at Troy to improving the fan experience with the implementation of several new gameday initiatives, the unveiling of a new ticketing system and spearheading a redesign of the Athletics website, TroyTrojans.com.
At Southern Miss, McClain oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Athletics Department, and was responsible for revenue generation, which included licensing, corporate development, fundraising and ticket sales.
As the primary fundraiser for the Golden Eagles, McClain led a staff that set records in 2013 for the annual fund and the overall Southern Miss Athletic Foundation. He was also responsible for securing funding and supervising several major facility projects.
Prior to his time at Southern Miss, McClain served as Director of Athletics at Delta State University for five-plus years, beginning in 2007. While at Delta State, McClain developed a plan to increase student-athlete services.
McClain also increased donations to the school’s athletic department, helping secure funding for the first phase of DSU’s Athletic Master Plan.
McClain earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Delta State in 1999, where he was a Division II All-American in baseball. He also earned his M.B.A. from Delta State in 2002. After graduation, he played five years of professional baseball.
He is married to the former Christie Cannon of Calhoun City, Miss., and the couple has three children, son Cannon, and daughters Kate and Piper.
