Meet the college athletic director fans treat like a rock star
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BOISE, Idaho – With the popularity of an influencer and the everyman ability to connect with everyone from 25-year season-ticket holders to first-time visitors and even Idaho state legislators, Jeramiah Dickey embodies perpetual motion.
Rest can come later, after Boise State's irrepressible athletic director works through his gameday routine, which includes his customary pot-and-a-half of black coffee.
The day begins with Dickey appearing live on ESPN's "College GameDay", discussing the only thing in Idaho that rivals potatoes and skiing in popularity: Boise State's famous blue turf, which underwent its latest renovation from June to July 2026 inside Albertsons Stadium.
It is Saturday, Sept. 19, gameday against South Dakota, and USA TODAY Sports has been granted exclusive access to spend the day with Dickey.
Blue-collar, blue-turf devotees shout their admiration as he makes his way through the stadium. Three months shy of completing his sixth full year leading Boise State athletics, Dickey beams as the football program celebrates its 15th consecutive regular-season sellout.
“We love you, Jeramiah!” a group shouts.
“JD! Thanks for everything,” another man shouts.
A basketball assistant buzzes by on a motorized scooter.
“Hey,” Dickey calls out. “You’re coming to the game, right?”
“Of course,” he says.
The architect behind Boise State's ambitious future: 'A total visionary'
A West Texas native from El Paso, Dickey has helped steer Boise State athletics to the brink of de facto Power Four status and already has overseen a College Football Playoff berth in 2024. On this day, he's hustling to an on-campus radio interview nearly three hours before kickoff, arriving a few minutes late after stopping repeatedly to greet fans, pose for selfies and hand out hugs.
Among those seeking a photo is "Grumpy" Bill Jay Evans, a 25-year season-ticket holder. Evans skis, bleeds Bronco blue and remains irked by a new seat-cushion policy that prohibits metal-frame chairs and cushions wider than 18 inches.
“When I was here two weeks before the season for the opening of the North End Zone, nobody said crap about the seats,” Evans says. “I’m so (mad). But (Dickey) shows up. He does everything.
“But the planning on the seats was an epic fail.”
Even so, Evans has one final message as Dickey and a reporter move on to their next stop: a tailgate for former athletes and a reunion for the swimming and diving program.
"This guy," Evans shouts, "don't let anybody steal this guy from us, because he's a total visionary."
By 7 p.m., Dickey has posed for at least 15 photos with alumni, fans and their children. He pauses to visit with former Boise State coach Skip Hall, who is being honored as the ceremonial raiser of the "Blue Chaos" flag.
There is also a quick call to his wife, Elizabeth, to coordinate seeing his family before kickoff.
Dickey continues working the sidelines, meeting with members of the Lyle Smith Society, Boise State's highest-level donor group, in a new premium space overlooking the stadium's southwest end zone.
“He fights, fights for Boise State and speaks out for Boise State,” says Chris Kutz, senior associate athletic director and Dickey hire with experience from Kansas State and Texas State, among other stops. “I think that resonates with 98% of the people."
The results are tangible. The Lyle Smith Society now has 350 members, up from fewer than 50. More than half of those members aren't Boise State alumni. Season-ticket football sales crowd 22,000 — most since 2013. Fundraising is coming off a $42 million fiscal year 2026, giving Boise State five consecutive years of capturing $20 million or more in donations under Dickey.
Why Boise State's athletic director prefers the sidelines
Soon, Dickey is back on the sidelines.
He stops to greet members of the gymnastics team and chat with new premium-seat holders before settling in as much as his schedule allows.
“This, being down here around the guys, this fills my bucket,” says Dickey, his ‘I Am Second’ bracelet on his wrist. “Especially in the climate and environment we’re in.”
Spencer Danielson, Dickey's handpicked football coach, took over on an interim basis late in 2023 after the firing of Andy Avalos and quickly earned the job permanently. Since then, he's won roughly three out of every four games as Boise State's leader.
Before kickoff, Danielson delivers one final message to his players inside the locker room.
“Gratitude, gratitude,” Danielson says. “I can’t wait to see you guys go play. No fear. No hesitation.
"Enjoy it. We’ve got five more guaranteed opportunities (at home). Gratitude. Joy. I’m fired up. How do we handle it after some pats on the back? Physical. Tough. After this game, no regrets. Solve it with violence."
Coming off a convincing Sept. 12 win over fellow Group of Six CFP contender Memphis and with a trip to Lance Taylor's always-physical Western Michigan team looming Sept. 26, this matchup felt like a classic trap game.
And Boise State plays like it at times.
The Broncos aren't particularly sharp, even if they dominate statistically. Defensively, they smother South Dakota's rushing attack, holding it to just 36 yards on 22 carries. Offensively, they pile up 325 rushing yards and add more than 200 through the air behind veteran quarterback Maddux Madsen.
Dickey paces the sideline throughout. A second-quarter visit to the stadium's new premium seating area, featuring a dozen field-level suites, 44 loge boxes and 1,600 seats, and a third-quarter stop in the athletic director's suite eventually give way to his preferred vantage point: being in the middle of the action.
But two Boise State fumbles deep in its own territory wipe away the advantage created by two interceptions from the defense.
The final miscue, a muffed punt in the closing minutes, gives South Dakota life.
Suddenly, the Coyotes have the ball inside the final two minutes with a chance to tie the score or take the lead.
The stadium's new video board measures the crowd noise at nearly 100 decibels.
An all-out blitz forces a desperate heave from South Dakota quarterback Austyn Modrzewski.
Incomplete.
One snap later, the drama is over.
Broncos running back Dylan Riley takes a handoff and bursts through the defense, racing 83 yards untouched to the end zone.
On the sideline, Dickey pumps his fist and embraces several staff members.
Then, if only for a moment, he exhales. Boise State 38, South Dakota 24.
When the game ends, Dickey's work doesn't
After the game, Dickey heads to a familiar spot: the northwest corner of the end zone near the tunnel leading back to Boise State's gleaming locker room.
Blue lights wash across the blue turf as Eiffel 65's late-1990s hit "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" echoes through the stadium. Dickey refuses to leave the field until he's shaken hands with, hugged or congratulated every coach and player he can find.
Faith and love are pillars of Dickey's leadership style. He tells people he loves them freely and often.
Here's the thing: The players usually beat him to it.
"Love you, J.D.," Madsen says during a postgame embrace. "Appreciate you."
"J.D.!" senior defensive lineman Max Stege bellows. "Love you, man!"
Dickey eventually makes his way to the locker room in time to hear Danielson address the team and join in the postgame celebration.
Hours later, with the game ending just before midnight local time, a young boy approaches Boise State's athletic director with a question.
"Mr. Dickey," he asks, "do you come here every day?"
"I'll be here tomorrow," Dickey replies, "but I won't come here tomorrow."
It is nearing 1 a.m. when Dickey finally pulls out for the drive home to nearby Meridian.
Sunday is reserved for family. Monday brings another week of meetings, obligations and decisions, including discussions with fellow Pac-12 athletic directors.
Then comes the cross-country trip to Western Michigan. Boise State will leave Thursday, two days before kickoff, to adjust to the two-time-zone change.
The work never slows.
Better start the coffee. Black. And make it more than one pot.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Meet the college athletic director fans treat like a rock star
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