When I was a student at the University of Florida I had the coolest job any student could have: Football Recruiting Intern for the Florida Gators Football Program.
Getting the job was sheer luck, but the resulting four years were filled with a lifetime of memories, friendships, and lessons that I have carried with me post-graduation.
You see, standing on the sideline of every home football game wasn’t normal for most students, getting to meet prospects and helping their families on visits was really eye-opening, but most importantly, being surrounded by Urban Meyer, Charlie Strong, and the rest of staff and support staff was a surreal experience that allowed me to learn from the very best (and yes, brag a little).
But, there is one figure that I remember the most from my time interning for the University Athletic Association – Jeremy Foley.
I grew up a Florida Gators fan, so I always knew of Jeremy Foley – I knew no different, because Jeremy Foley became Athletic Director when I was four years old. I saw Florida Athletics prosper as a child and teenager. I only knew excellence as a Gators fan and I always knew Jeremy Foley was at the helm of that success.
When I decided to attend the University of Florida, my goal was be to try to get involved in athletics somehow, but with 50,000 students how was I going to do that?
By a chance run-in with football Recruiting Coordinator Emily Heater and then subsequent interview, I was offered a position in the Recruiting Department. My position was mainly dealing with logistics, paperwork, weekend visits, official visits, and administrative work. But the best parts of my job involved working with Jeremy Foley.
Now what did my job as a lowly intern have to do with interfacing with Foley? It didn’t and that is what made him incredible.
Foley could have sat in his office interacting with managers or assistants all day, but he didn’t. He could have delegated tasks and simple meetings to “yes (wo)men”, but he didn’t. He could have forgotten my name, face, and job, but he didn’t.
Whenever I would pass him in the office or on the field, there was always a handshake, a hello, and a causal conversation. Sure, the conversation never was earth shattering, but for me it didn’t have to be.
What I saw with Jeremy Foley was someone who cared deeply about his department, his coaches, his staff, his program, his University. Someone that was sanguine. Someone that seemed to always value the opinions of others. And someone that truly was trying to do the right thing.
Was Jeremy Foley perfect? No.
Did he make his share of mistakes? Absolutely
But his imperfections and share of mistakes rounded him out as a human – something we oft forget out of high profile figures.
He didn’t always hire the perfect coach. But he learned. Ron Zook led to Urban Meyer. Will Muschamp led to Jim McElwain.
He didn’t always build the most expensive facilities or join in the “Facility Space Race”. But he never had a head coach leave to seek more money, better facilities, or a better program – ever.
He didn’t always spend the most on football every off-season. But he built programs like Softball, Volleyball, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, and more. Oh, while also helping with two football National Championships and eight SEC Championships.
The Jeremy Foley I knew, knew that trials would sometimes lead to error, but how you came out of that error was more important.
The Jeremy Foley I knew, didn’t just listen to fans, but truly heard them.
The Jeremy Foley I knew, stood in the back of the end-zone at the end of every game not because a win meant more money, but because he was truly a fan of the Florida Gators.
The Jeremy Foley I knew, pushed his staff to accomplish more, not to just do more. “Work Smarter, Not Harder” is what I heard.
The Jeremy Foley I knew, knew me and that was really freakin’ cool.