Memphis hires Jeff Crane as deputy athletics director

Memphis has hired Jeff Crane to be deputy athletics director. Crane replaces Mark Alnutt, who left Memphis in March 2018 to become athletics director at Buffalo. 

Crane was recently the executive associate athletics director at South Carolina, where he worked in various leadership capacities since 2006. His most recent title was sport administrator for men's basketball and the equestrian program.

In March 2018, Crane was also briefly interim athletics director at South Carolina-Upstate after the firing of the school's athletics director and men's basketball coach.

"We conducted a national search and had over 160 applicants. We are bringing one of the best young administrators in the business to Memphis," Memphis athletics director Tom Bowen said in a statement. "I'm excited to have Jeff and his family join my staff here at Memphis."

While at South Carolina, Crane also was named assistant athletics director for development in 2008 and senior associate athletics director for development and the Gamecock Club in 2012.

During his tenure, South Carolina raised more than $175 million for student-athlete scholarships and facilities, according to his profile on the school's website. As director of marketing, Crane was responsible for the athletics department signing a new marketing rights agreement resulting in $50 million in guaranteed revenue.

Crane also spent five years directing marketing efforts for TCU. He was assistant director of marketing from 2001-04 before being promoted to director of marketing.

The hire comes after Bowen agreed to a six-month extension in March. Bowen and the school are currently in negotiations for a new multi-year contract.

More:University of Memphis athletic director Tom Bowen agrees to six-month contract extension

More:How new ESPN, AAC deal will impact Memphis athletics broadcasts

You can reach Tigers football beat writer Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com