MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama Director of Athletics Dr. Joel Erdmann has announced his plans to retire on May 31, 2026.
 
Erdmann, the longest tenured athletic director in the Sun Belt Conference, has served as South Alabama's director of athletics since July 2009.
 
"It has been a high honor and privilege for Tina and me to be at the University of South Alabama," said Erdmann. "The roles I have served in at South have all been rewarding, and to be the director of athletics has been a literal dream come true. 
 
"I must recognize our Board of Trustees for their steadfast commitment to the University and department. President Bonner's vision and leadership is second to none and reinforced by Executive Vice President and Provost Andi M. Kent, Ph.D. People in the industry of collegiate athletics often refer to organizational alignment being key to a department's success.  There is no other campus in the nation better aligned from its board to its president, and throughout all parts of campus, than South Alabama.
 
"Our coaches, administrators and staff have inspired me each day as they demonstrate their devotion to our collective success. Our loyal supporters continue to propel us forward while we, the city of Mobile and the greater community we serve, embrace each other and grow together. Finally, I must thank our student-athletes. Simply put, they are our purpose, and hopefully we have touched their lives in ways which guide them to successful and enjoyable independent lives. I know that each of them has touched my life in immeasurable ways.
 
"South Alabama is an amazing university driven by great people. Its positive momentum is real and Tina and I will now, in a different way, continue to be Jaguars for life."
 
Erdmann transformed South Alabama Athletics during his time as athletic director and leaves behind an undeniable legacy. He is the only athletic director South Alabama Football has ever known as he took over just one month before the Jaguars kicked off their inaugural season in Aug. 2009. Since then, he oversaw the project to move the football program completely on campus with the construction of Hancock Whitney Stadium and the Jaguar Training Center. Facility upgrades have been one of the many calling cards of Erdmann's career as he completed over $100 million in facility projects that have positively impacted every sport at South Alabama.
 
"In his 17 years as the leader of Jaguar Athletics, Dr. Erdmann mentored hundreds of student-athletes and witnessed innumerable special moments across all our teams," said USA President Jo Bonner. "Joel has made an indelible mark on South's history, and, to the student-athletes, he is always their loudest cheerleader and greatest advocate."
 
Under Erdmann's leadership, the Jaguars have consistently competed at a championship level. South Alabama Athletics was awarded the Vic Bubas Cup six times during Erdmann's tenure, including four years in a row from 2014 through 2018. The Jaguars also compiled 41 Sun Belt Conference Championships and 52 NCAA postseason appearances with Erdmann at the helm of the department.
 
"Throughout his career, Dr. Erdmann understood that the 'student' always comes before the 'athlete,' and it shows when looking at the successful post-college careers of members of the Jaguar athletics family," said Andi M. Kent, Ph.D., executive vice president and provost. "We are grateful to Joel for teaching our teams that the scoreboard is only one way to measure success."
 
Erdmann was heavily involved in shaping the present and future of college athletics during his career as an athletic administrator. He served a four-year term on the prestigious NCAA Division I Baseball Championship Committee where he served as chairman of the championship selection committee for the 2016 College World Series. He also joined a select group of athletic directors in 2017 that completed a mock selection exercise for the College Football Playoff Committee. Erdmann has served on multiple expansion committees for the Sun Belt Conference, and helped usher in 10 of the league's current and future 14 members.
 
South Alabama's performance in the classroom has improved steadily over the course of Erdmann's career. After inheriting a department struggling with its academic performance, Erdmann led South Alabama Athletics to its highest cumulative GPA in department history at 3.179. Additionally, the fall 2025 semester resulted in the highest term GPA in department history with Jaguar Athletics producing a 3.265. As a whole, USA also produced its best-ever APR of 989 for 2023-24 while 10 of its programs boasted a perfect 1,000.
 
Erdmann's time at South Alabama began long before his appointment as director of athletics. He earned a master's degree in physical education from South in 1992 while also working as a graduate assistant coach with the baseball team. Erdmann later reunited with South Alabama Baseball for two seasons in 1996 as a volunteer assistant coach.
 
USA President Jo Bonner has appointed Dr. Daniel McCarthy to serve as South Alabama's interim director of athletics. McCarthy has been at South Alabama since 2008 and has served in his current capacity as deputy athletic director since 2017.
 
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