Jim Cole steps down after 16 years leading Mercer Athletics

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Mercer University Athletics Director Jim Cole is stepping down after 16 years, and Deputy Athletics Director Brian Gerrity has been promoted to succeed him, the university announced Wednesday.

Cole, a Mercer alumnus and former Bears baseball player, has served as athletics director since 2010.

According to a news release, during his tenure, Mercer advanced to NCAA postseason competition in 10 sports, won multiple conference championships and expanded to 18 intercollegiate programs.

Cole also helped bring football back to Mercer in 2013 after a 72-year absence. The Bears won 10 games during their inaugural season and have since won two consecutive outright Southern Conference championships and reached the NCAA FCS playoffs three straight times.

“Under Jim’s leadership, Mercer Athletics achieved national prominence,” Mercer President Penny Elkins said. “From restoring football to our campus to building a nationally competitive Division I program, his vision and strategic direction have fundamentally strengthened our Athletics program, and his contributions will endure for generations.”

Brian Gerrity (MercerBears.com)

Cole said the transition follows the graduation of both of his children from Mercer this spring.

“To be able to come back to my alma mater, where I was an athlete, and serve our coaches, players and alumni as athletics director for 16 years has been a dream come true,” Cole said.

Cole said he recommended Gerrity as his successor as part of a leadership plan developed during the past two years.

Gerrity has worked at Mercer since 2012. As deputy athletics director and executive director of the Mercer Athletic Foundation, he helped increase unrestricted giving by 550% and expand athletic endowments, according to the university.

He also helped secure naming rights for several athletic facilities, including Five Star Stadium, OrthoGeorgia Park and Betts Stadium.

“Mercer has been my home for over a decade, and being named athletics director is a profound responsibility I do not take lightly,” Gerrity said. “I am humbled and honored to step into this role and continue to build on the incredible strides forward we took as a department under Jim’s leadership.”

Gerrity is a former basketball player and graduate of Bates College. He earned a master’s degree in education from Springfield College.

A note from Jim Cole

The university released a letter from Jim Cole after Wednesday’s release:

I want to thank Mercer University for the incredible opportunity I’ve had to serve as Athletics Director. Coming back to my alma mater where I was a scholar-athlete has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. It’s a journey made possible thanks to the outstanding leadership and support of President Elkins and Bill Underwood, who took a chance on me 16 years ago. Both have provided us with the resources to win championships, as have all the amazing coaches and staff that have supported me in the day-to-day operations. I am so grateful to you all.

Over the years, we’ve accomplished so much together – from restarting our football program after 72 years to that unforgettable Duke upset in the 2014 NCAA basketball tournament that earned national headlines (and an ESPY award for the biggest upset of the year in all of sports). From 1950-2009, we won 15 conference and tournament championships in 60 years. From 2010-2026, we won 51 in 16 years. I am very proud of our numbers as they reflect how we all moved Mercer forward. A team effort!

But beyond the headlines, I’m most proud of how we’ve improved the overall scholar-athlete experience through better facilities, enhanced game day programming, and by creating more pathways for our athletes to succeed both academically and athletically.

The timing of my announcement to step down as Athletics Director follows the recent graduation of my two children from Mercer this past spring. My wife Gaylyn and I are so thankful for the time we’ve had here at Mercer, especially these past few years when they were both on campus. We are very proud of our daughter Caroline, a newly minted School of Law graduate, and our son Lawson, who earned his bachelor’s degree. Now, just like my children, I’m ready to move into the next phase of life with them as business colleagues, grateful for the opportunities our Mercer experience has provided. As I take that step, you will still find me in the front row cheering on the Bears for years to come.

Every good coach knows that planning matters, and over the last couple of years, my goal has been to ensure Athletics was positioned to continue to thrive without me. I’m confident we are poised for success under new leadership, and I’m excited to see Brian Gerrity step into this role as my successor. Brian is deeply committed to our mission and has the vision, energy and relationships necessary to lead our Mercer Bears to even greater heights. Know I have fully committed to supporting him and Mercer throughout this transition. That’s a promise.

To Mercer, our scholar-athletes, coaches, fans, partners and community: thank you again for an amazing journey.

And it goes without saying, of course: Go Bears!