Boston College has hired former Miami athletic director Blake James to be the school's next AD, the university announced Wednesday.
James will take over the role at Boston College on July 1.
"It is truly an honor to join the Boston College family as the William V. Campbell Director of Athletics," James said in a statement. "I am grateful to [school president Father William P.] Leahy for the opportunity to lead the Eagles and for his confidence in me and in our shared vision for BC Athletics. We will strive for excellence in all of our pursuits in alignment with our Jesuit values. We will compete for championships with integrity, with incredible young men and women, and talented and compassionate coaches and staff supporting their journeys."
James spent nearly 10 years as the athletic director at Miami before being dismissed in November as part of an overhaul that eventually included the firing of football coach Manny Diaz.
James is replacing Pat Kraft, who left Boston College for Penn State in late April. Kraft's departure rattled the school, as it meant that third-year football coach Jeff Hafley would be working with his third athletic director in as many years.
James brings a background in fundraising and ties to the Northeast after serving as the athletic director at Maine from 2003 to 2010. He also has a strong reputation in the athletic director, administrative and academic communities that Boston College relied on in its search.
A big focus of Boston College's search was finding a candidate with experience and staying power. James is highly regarded within ACC circles for his work pulling Miami through some difficult times, including the fallout from the Nevin Shapiro scandal. Boston College is also a private school in a league of primarily public schools, which gives the jobs some crossover.
Boston College is due $2.85 million for Kraft's departure, believed to be an unprecedented amount for a school to obtain in this type of circumstance. Boston College also received a significant buyout when former athletic director Martin Jarmond left for UCLA in May 2020.
All candidates in the Boston College search were told that significant buyouts were going to be included, as Leahy valued continuity in the athletic department after the quick tenures of Kraft (two years) and Jarmond (three years).
"Blake brings extensive experience, understands the issues facing intercollegiate athletics today, and is committed to BC's mission," Leahy said in a statement. "I look forward to welcoming him to Boston College."