brobible
Brigham Young University found itself in the unusual position of having to publicly deny false reports that its athletic director had been let go. The rumors, which gained traction over the weekend, were firmly rebutted by the school through an unexpected medium—a popular fan forum.
The university's athletic department created an account on Cougar Board, the largest online community for BYU supporters, to set the record straight. A statement posted there confirmed that Brian Santiago's employment status has not changed and that he continues to serve as the athletic director.
Background on Brian Santiago
Santiago, a Utah native and former all-state basketball player at Provo High School, has deep ties to the university. He joined the athletic department in 1997 as a basketball staff member under Steve Cleveland, later earning his MBA from BYU in 2001. After a playing career at Fresno State, where he averaged 10.7 points per game as a senior, Santiago transitioned into athletic administration and has been with the school since.
He was named athletic director in May 2025, succeeding the retired Tom Holmoe. The appointment initially drew criticism from some fans, with one social media post calling it a "very dark day" and vowing to expose alleged issues, though no such information ever surfaced.
University Response
The latest round of rumors appears to have originated from unverified social media posts, prompting the official response. Associate AD Jon McBride also noted Santiago's attendance at a recent soccer game, while colleague Tyson Hutchins explained that the university had set up the message board accounts earlier in the year to better engage with fans amid fragmented communication channels.
Hutchins described the situation as "ridiculous" and emphasized the need for immediate clarification. The source of the rumor remains unknown, but the university's swift action highlights its commitment to transparency.
Despite the distraction, BYU's athletic programs have performed well under Santiago's leadership. The football team posted a 12-2 record last season and retained head coach Kalani Sitake despite interest from Penn State. The basketball team won 23 games and secured a third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Recruiting and NIL support are at all-time highs, and the school finished 25th in the Learfield Directors Cup standings.
There have been some controversies, including legal issues involving football players Jake Retzlaff and Parker Kingston, though those cases were dismissed and the players left the program. For now, Santiago's position is secure, and the university's proactive communication should help put an end to the unfounded speculation.
Originally reported by brobible.