JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — University of North Florida President John Delaney says he plans to resign from his job.
Delaney, the former mayor of Jacksonville, announced Monday that he will retire from his position when his contract expires in May 2018.
Delaney has been UNF president since 2003 and he was appointed to the position despite never having worked in education prior to his selection. Delaney was elected to two consecutive terms as Jacksonville’s mayor in the 1990s.
Delaney was credited with helping bring an NFL team to Jacksonville and for his leadership in plans to build a new arena, baseball park, and courthouse.
Delaney was often mentioned as a potential candidate for statewide office and he came close to getting appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2009 after then-Sen. Mel Martinez resigned.