After months of searching, BYU has decided who its next athletic director will be.
Brian Santiago, who has served as the Cougars' deputy athletic director since 2017, was named as BYU's new athletic director on Tuesday.
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Santiago as the next director of athletics at Brigham Young University. pic.twitter.com/nl1rNmdbjX
— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) May 13, 2025
In February, longtime athletic director, Tom Holmoe, announced his plan to retire following the 2024-25 season after 20 years at BYU.
"We are excited to build on the forward momentum and legacy of Tom Holmoe," BYU president, C. Shane Reese, said. "It’s become clear to me throughout this search process that Brian will seek to strengthen BYU’s academic and spiritual mission, and he understands how it blesses the lives of our student-athletes.”
Santiago has been involved with BYU athletics for nearly 30 years, joining the men's basketball coaching staff in 1997 and then entering into athletic administration.
"We are here to build student-athletes academically, athletically, spiritually and to prepare them to go make a difference in the world," Santiago said. "As an athletic department, we stand united in this charge.”
Santiago was Holmoe's right-hand man as they navigated through NIL, conference realignments and major coaching changes. The athletic department feels it is in good hands giving the keys to Santiago.