Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- BYU's new athletic director, Brian Santiago, pledges to lead with compassion.
- Critics label Santiago as a hothead, but he aims to prove maturity.
- Santiago emphasizes competitive spirit and evolving college athletics landscape at BYU.
PROVO — Code words the likes of competitive and passionate often are attached to BYU's new athletic director.
His critics might not be quite as polite, preferring to describe Brian Santiago as a hothead or arrogant. The choice is yours, likely depending on individual interactions and second-hand perceptions.
Either way, Santiago is fully aware of the voices out there ready to pounce on his perceived shortcomings. To them, BYU president Shane Reese and the school's governing board grossly miscalculated Santiago's temperament and will regret the decision to name him as Tom Holmoe's successor.
Holmoe was always stoic on the sidelines during games and in public appearances over the last 20 years as the athletic director. Never once did the former Super Bowl-winning player and coach with the San Francisco 49ers do anything to embarrass the image-conscious university, preferring the spotlight shine and the young athletes.
Santiago came from different stock, often unable to sit still during tight games. Over the last 27 years as a BYU employee, he may even have sneered at a referee or voiced displeasure at a particular call that went against his beloved Cougars.
Oh, the shame of it all. Out of more than 50 people Reese interviewed for the position, some say BYU still managed to promote an unhinged associate athletic director.
For all the detractors, give Santiago a chance to prove himself. He just might have matured a bit since he first came to BYU with then-new basketball coach Steve Cleveland almost three decades ago.
"I think part of my competitive nature came with me when I was born into this world," Santiago told reporters after Wednesday's press conference to officially introduce him as athletic director. "What I'd say to those people is that I can't wait to get to know them better. You're going to see that I'm not the same person I was 27 years ago."
Good point. Hopefully all of us have improved over a similar time span.
Essentially starting out as Cleveland's administrative assistant back when staffs were not nearly as bloated as they are now, Santiago worked his way through the athletic department before becoming what Holmoe called his "wingman" the last several years. Along the way, working with multiple university presidents and administrators has given him a greater perspective.
"These are people that have helped mentor and really show me that you can be competitive, you can be super passionate," Santiago said, "but you can also do it in a way with love and compassion so that it can kind of take some of that edge off."
Channeling those natural fiery emotions through proper ways could benefit the athletic department going forward. BYU is in a good spot with its Big 12 membership, but the landscape of college athletics is ever changing.
On tap in short order is upcoming governmental legislation expected to create revenue distribution with athletes. More conference realignment also could happen over the next several years.
"We're in the world of college athletics that is highly competitive," Santiago said. "If you're not in the competitive world you're going to get run over. Last I checked is we're going to chase excellence (and) we're going to chase greatness. I would just say to people, let's go on this journey together."
Don't forget, Santiago is a bulldog twice over. The father of four played basketball at Provo High and Fresno State, both of whose mascots are Bulldogs. And for those wondering, yes, he was intense as a player and still is, albeit a little softer around the edges.
So, there you have it, the young man has grown up. And remember this – it's far better and easier to tone it down than it is to amp it up.
