Mike Jacobs Named Athletic Director
The founder of University of Mobile’s baseball and softball programs and head coach of UM baseball, Mike Jacobs, is the university’s new athletic director. The UM Athletic Department is one of the largest in the NAIA, with 18 varsity sports. Jacobs remains head coach of the baseball program and enters his 31st season in that role. In 2011, the baseball field at UM was named Jacobs Field in his honor.
Assisting AD Mike Jacobs are associate athletic directors Alison Cook and Brian Person ’02. Cook enters her third season as head coach for the university’s softball program and Person starts his 13th season as head coach for the women’s soccer program.
Joining the department are Head Men’s Basketball Coach Darnell Archey and Sports Information Director David Haney ’16. Archey previously served as assistant coach for the University of South Alabama men’s basketball program from 2013-2018 and, since April, was assistant coach for the men’s basketball team at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. Archey was part of two NCAA Final Fours as director of basketball operations from 2009-2013 at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Haney returns to the UM athletic department after working for the Mobile BayBears professional baseball club as social media manager, promotions coordinator and public address announcer from 2017-2019. Previously, Haney assisted UM’s athletic department as a work-study employee while attending classes.
Renovated Pharr Gym
The action returns to H. Austill Pharr Gymnasium this fall after renovations took place beginning last winter. Renovations include new lighting, better WIFI and, most notably, brand new flooring with new designs and updated logos.
UM Athletics Back in Action
Several athletic programs started their season in August and several more will begin theirs later this semester. Men’s and women’s soccer started their seasons at home with scrimmage games on Aug. 13. Women’s Soccer, led by Head Coach Brian Person, hosted NCAA Division 1 school, Nicholls State University and the men’s soccer program, led by Head Coach Daniel Whelan, hosted Bethel College.
The university’s volleyball program, led by Head Coach Jon Campbell, also began their season in August, participating in the Evangel University Tournament on the road in Springfield, Missouri on Aug. 15.
Men’s and women’s cross-country teams, led by Head Coach Andy Canegitta, are in the middle of their season with the SSAC Tournament Nov. 2. Men’s and women’s golf, led by Head Coach T.J. Jackson, start their season Sept. 23. Complete schedules are at umobilerams.com.
Keep Up with UM Athletics
Never miss any games, news, and the latest Rams information by following University of Mobile Rams social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; visiting the website at umobilerams.com, or calling the UM Athletic Department office at 800.WIN.RAMS.
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