According to records obtained by Auburn Undercover, former Auburn University athletic director Jay Jacobs received nearly $3 million in severance compensation following his departure in 2018.
While the amount of $2,932,576 appeared on an Auburn's NCAA Financial Statement, Jacobs' name did not. A university spokesperson confirmed the purpose of the dollar amount Tuesday. Auburn also paid Jacobs a salary of $1.29 million in the fiscal year ending in June 30, 2017. Citing figures reported by the Florence Times Daily, Auburn Undercover adds that Jacobs is expected to receive $540,000 per year in state retirement payments, based on his 30-plus years in the state retirement system.
Jacobs was Auburn's athletics director for 13 years and spent most of his adult life at Auburn in various positions, from the football strength staff to the fundraising arm of the athletics department. He announced his retirement in November 2017 and stepped aside in February 2018, following the hiring of Allen Greene.
Auburn Undercover reported that months of rumors concerning Jacobs' potential ouster from Auburn had come to a boil in the fall of 2017. The athletics program was marred in controversy, which included a lawsuit and two scandals: an FBI investigation into men’s basketball assistant Chuck Person and a Title IX investigation into softball that led to head coach Clint Myers' staff leaving the program.
"The last several months have been a particularly difficult time," Jacobs stated in a letter to Auburn fans dated Nov. 3, 2017. "Across several sports, a series of controversies have arisen. They have begun to take their toll and have raised questions about why Auburn must endure such problems. As I have always done, I have worked my hardest and best to do what is right for Auburn.
"I believe in Auburn and will fight for Auburn. But as I consider the future and what is best for Auburn, I have prayerfully decided the time has come for me to step aside. Sometimes a new direction and new leadership are helpful in moving beyond current problems."
Jacobs is currently employed as an executive associate athletics director at the University of Florida, where he oversees the communications, marketing, ticketing and GatorVision departments.
