Eye on the Y: The Cougars’ new boss’ shows a softer edge and Egor Demin heads to Chicago.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU President Shane Reese, left, embraces Brian Santiago at the conclusion of a press conference following the announcement of Santiago as the new BYU athletic director at Brigham Young University in Provo on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
When Brian Santiago first went into athletic administration, he couldn’t sit through full games.
If the score tightened or an official made an errant call, he’d feel the need to excuse himself, go on walks in order to handle the emotions. His competitiveness, which made him a sharpshooter at Fresno State in a past life, didn’t have an off switch.
That’s why Santiago’s announcement as BYU’s new athletic director was met by more than a few detractors. Plenty know Santiago as the competitor who didn’t have the temperament they might expect from the man who will lead BYU’s athletic department.
Santiago understands that.
“But over time, maybe some of those rough edges are softened,” Santiago said, reflecting now 27 years removed from being a college basketball player.
And he wants a clean slate as he goes into the top chair.
“I just hope that people can see the personal side of me and really see how much I care about people,” he said. “I think that part of my competitive nature came with me when I was born into this world. But what I’d say to those people is that I can’t wait to get to know them better, and they’re going to see that I’m not the same person now that I was 27 years ago.”
Santiago has long been seen as the clear successor to outgoing athletic director Tom Holmoe. He’s been Holmoe’s right hand for almost a decade and has key relationships within BYU’s donor base. He was pivotal to bringing in men’s head basketball coach Kevin Young and knows Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge and Jazz owner Ryan Smith well.
And he thinks he’s changed enough to make it all work.
“Through a lot of incredible mentors, people have really shown me that you can be competitive, you can be super passionate, but you can also do it the way with love and compassion,” he said.
But he’s not backing off his competitiveness completely.
“Last I checked, we’re in a world of college athletics that is highly competitive. If you’re not competitive, you’re gonna get run over,” he said. “And last I checked, we’re going to chase excellence and we’re gonna chase greatness.”
Time will tell how much Santiago has changed.
Draft stock watch
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU basketball player Egor Demin is congratulated following his announcement of his plans to enter the NBA Draft, where he would likely be a first-round pick in June, during a news event in Provo on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
Egor Demin turned some heads at the NBA combine in Chicago.
He knocked down threes and showed scouts maybe the NCAA Tournament wasn’t an aberration.
He also thinks the Big 12 got him ready for the Association.
“One of my goals coming to BYU, and the Big 12, was to get used to the physicality and the speed of the game on this level,” he said. “And obviously the Big 12 is one of the most physical conferences in the country. I think that is where I did a lot of improvement.”
Demin struggled with the physicality early in the year but finished the season averaging over 10 points a game. He controlled the pace of the play much more in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 13 a night with several assists.
“Being able to be physical is a lot of improvement,” he said. “I’ll be more ready for that, adjust myself in the game that’s closer to the NBA level.”
Fourth down
1. BYU’s opener
AJ Dybantsa’s opening act will be against Villanova in Las Vegas on Nov. 3 at T-Mobile Arena. It will be the second game of the day after Arizona and Florida.
2. Missed cut
Scottie Scheffler won golf’s second major of the year. BYU alum Patrick Fishburn was cut before the weekend.
This is how much each college coach is making in Utah.
What impact will Dybantsa have on BYU and Big 12 recruiting?