MSU introduces new athletic director

BOZEMAN - Utah associate athletic director Kyle Brennan has been named the new athletic director at Montana State, President Waded Cruzado announced Monday.

“Kyle’s values of putting the student first, of aspiring for excellence both on the field and in the classroom, his ambition, and the great potential he sees in Bobcat Athletics are well aligned with what all of us want for MSU,” Cruzado said. “I look forward to working with him and seeing him lead Bobcat Athletics to a new level of success.”

Brennan was chosen from among five finalists to succeed Peter Fields, whose contract wasn’t renewed after 14 years.

“When you come to Montana, one thing is evident right away — the passion people have for Bobcat Athletics and for MSU. The program and the university are well situated to move to the next level,” Brennan said. “I want to make sure MSU’s student-athletes get a great education and also have a great experience as competitors. I also want to engage the campus, the local community, the state and MSU’s alumni.”

Brennan said he plans to be an aggressive fundraiser for athletics and also wants the Bobcat teams to win championships.

“This program rests on an incredible foundation, it is completely possible to be excellent in everything we do,” Brennan said.

At Utah, Brennan is the supervising administrator for seven departments, manages new facility projects and oversees the department’s relationship with Under Armor. He also oversees external relations, fundraising, compliance, facility operations, event management, human resources and football strength and conditioning.

Brennan has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Calvin College in Cedar Rapids, Michigan, and earned his law degree from the University of Denver in 2001. He was an estate planning attorney in Denver before entering the field of athletics compliance as a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois in 2004. He also was director of compliance at TCU and Ball State.

Brennan’s hiring is subject to approval by the state Board of Regents. He will begin his duties no later than July 1.