Gerrity to lead Athletics following successful tenure of Cole
MACON, Ga. — Mercer University announced July 29 that Athletics Director Jim Cole is stepping down to complete his tenure as the University’s Athletics lead. He will be succeeded by Brian Gerrity, who has been promoted to athletics director and previously served as Deputy Athletic Director and Executive Director of the Mercer Athletic Foundation.
Cole, a Mercer alumnus and former baseball scholar-athlete whose association with the University spans more than three decades, leaves a significant legacy. Since being named athletics director in 2010, he has transformed Mercer Athletics into a nationally respected Division I program, leading success across competition, academics, facilities and strategic growth.
Under his leadership, Mercer has advanced to NCAA postseason play in 10 sports, captured multiple conference championships, and expanded to 18 intercollegiate programs. Most notably, Cole helped bring football back to Mercer in 2013 after a 72-year absence, launching a program that made history with a 10-2 inaugural season — the most wins ever by a Division I start-up program — and has since emerged as a Southern Conference powerhouse with back-to-back outright league titles and three consecutive NCAA FCS playoff appearances.
Alongside major facility enhancements and Mercer’s successful transition into the Southern Conference, he has fostered a culture of academic excellence, with the Bears earning 10 consecutive SoCon Barrett-Bonner Awards and producing 18 College Sports Communicators Academic All-Americans.
“Under Jim’s leadership, Mercer Athletics achieved national prominence,” said Mercer President Penny L. Elkins, Ph.D. “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.”
“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,” said Cole.
The timing of the transition follows the graduation of Cole’s children from Mercer this spring.
“My wife Gaylyn and I are so thankful for the time we’ve had here at Mercer, especially these past few years when both of our children were on campus. We are very proud of our daughter Caroline, a School of Law graduate, and our son Lawson, who earned his bachelor’s degree. Now, just like both of them, I’m ready to move into the next phase of life, grateful for the opportunities our Mercer experience has provided us.”
Cole’s succession plan was a key part of his leadership strategy.
“My goal over the past two years has been to ensure Athletics was ready to continue to succeed without me, which included my recommendation of Brian as my successor,” said Cole. “He brings vision, energy and a deep commitment to Mercer and our scholar-athletes, and I know he will do great things. I look forward to coming back often to cheer on our teams and athletes. You will find me right there on the front row leading the cheers.”
Gerrity, a nationally recognized leader recently named to Silver Waves Media’s list of top 100 rising athletic directors, has been instrumental to Mercer’s success since 2012. As Deputy Athletic Director and Executive Director of the Mercer Athletic Foundation, he led a period of unprecedented fundraising growth, increasing unrestricted giving by 550% while significantly expanding athletic endowments to strengthen the long-term success and sustainability of Mercer Athletics.
During his tenure, Gerrity has spearheaded major development initiatives, securing naming rights for key facilities including Five Star Stadium (football), OrthoGeorgia Park (baseball), Betts Stadium (soccer), the Cantrell Family Baseball Performance Center, the Overstreet Tennis Center and the Kevin and Carolyn Scheck Golf Performance Center. He also created vital programs like the BEAR PLUS priority parking program centered around the return of Mercer football.
“Mercer has been my home for over a decade, and being named athletics director is a profound responsibility I do not take lightly,” said Gerrity. “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. We have some of the best and brightest scholar-athletes, coaches and staff in the country, and I firmly believe our best days are ahead.”
Gerrity added, “President Elkins is a strategic and innovative leader, and her cabinet shares her vision for the future of the University. One of the keys to success in collegiate athletics is alignment with leadership — and we have that at Mercer. I am thrilled to be able to communicate my vision for Mercer Athletics with our donors, alums, friends and community.”
A former basketball scholar-athlete and graduate of Bates College, Gerrity earned his Master of Education from Springfield College. He resides in Macon with his daughter, Freida.
“Today we celebrate the contributions of one leader and welcome another,” said Dr. Elkins. “We are deeply grateful to Jim for his years of dedicated service to the University and the lasting impact he has made — and we are excited to welcome Brian and begin this next chapter for Mercer Athletics. With 14 years of institutional knowledge and service at Mercer, coupled with his exceptional talents, energy and passion for the University, Brian is well-positioned to accelerate and lead Mercer Athletics forward while building upon the remarkable accomplishments of his predecessor.”
