Memphis deputy athletic director Jeff Crane to leave for South Carolina

The University of Memphis is experiencing even more turnover in its athletic department.

Deputy athletic director (AD) Jeff Crane, who’s served as interim AD since Laird Veatch left for Missouri in April, is departing for South Carolina to become its deputy AD, multiple sources confirm to Bluff City Media.

Crane is the sixth Memphis Athletics staffer to leave for an SEC school this year, joining Veatch, Michael Schroeder, Josh Moore, Emily Hagans and Scott Burns.

He was reportedly in the running to take over as Memphis’ permanent AD. But he ultimately lost the job to Virginia deputy AD Ed Scott, who begins his duties at Memphis later this month.

Crane joined Memphis in April 2019 after beginning his career at South Carolina in 2006. His duties as deputy AD included serving as a member of the athletics department’s senior management team and overseeing the day-to-day operations and initiatives of the athletic department. He also provided executive oversight for the business office, capital projects, communications, facilities, game operations, marketing and sponsorship sales on top of serving as the sport administrator for football and the women’s and men’s golf programs.

In Crane’s short time as interim AD, he continued to spearhead the school’s $220 million renovation plan for Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Phase 2 of the three-part project began Monday.

Crane also held various leadership positions during his first stint at South Carolina, and eventually became the executive associate AD in January 2017. Additionally, he served as the interim AD at South Carolina Upstate from March 2018 to June 2018.