Earlier this month, Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley announced his retirement after 25 years on the job. Foley is set to step down on October 1, giving plenty of time for the university to find his successor.

Could the hire come from within the athletic department, in particular Executive Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs Mike Hill, Executive Associate Athletics Director for Internal Affairs Chip Howard or Executive Associate Athletics Director for Administration Lynda Tealer?

We've gotten a number of questions asking about internal interest in the job," Senior Associate Athletics Director Steve McClain told GatorBait. "Each of the internal people have made a decision not to pursue the athletic director position for their own individual reasons."

While the next athletic director will be an outside hire, Foley will remain at Florida as Emeritus Athletics Director, to be heavily involved in several projects the Gators have begun under his watch, including a number of facility upgrades.