Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum announced this morning that Athletic Director Greg Byrne has decided to leave MSU to take the same position at the University of Arizona.
Keenum said in a release Byrne’s decision was fueled by his family, not money.
“I made every effort to convince Greg to remain in Starkville, including offering a generous package of financial incentives,” Keenum said. “But as he conveyed to me, his decision was driven by family considerations more than financial compensation. They have an opportunity to be in a place where they have roots and deep connections.”
Byrne said he is feeling a myriad of emotions, but believes he made the right decision.
“My emotions today range from the highest highs to the lowest lows,” he said. “While I am excited about a new opportunity, I am heartbroken to be leaving a lot of friends. Our job here is not done, but the pieces are in place to bring success to Mississippi State athletics.”
In his short time in Starkville, Byrne’s most notable actions were the hiring of Dan Mullen as the new football coach and John Cohen as the new baseball coach. Byrne, much like Mullen, was considered a young and energetic hire, and he helped spark the athletic program in a year that saw the football single-season attendance record smashed by nearly 70,000.
Byrne echoed Keenum’s words and said the best interests of his family ultimately swayed his decision.
“Center-most in those items I consider is the affect a professional decision would have on my family,” Byrne said. “There is little question that this decision is a good one for my family. It places us back in a part of the country with which we are familiar, one that returns us near family and life-long friends. But this decision was more than just family. My new position offers many of the same challenges we faced here at Mississippi State. We will attack those challenges in the same way we did here.”
Byrne was quick to point out that he did not go out looking for a job. He said there were very few jobs for which he would consider leaving Mississippi State, but said the Arizona job just happened to be one of them.
“It is important for me to convey to you that I did not pursue this opportunity,” he said. “In fact, my initial reaction was to discourage any future interest. It took several conversations, and much prayer on my part, but their overwhelming interest was apparent as time moved along. The combination of a professional challenge and a personal commitment to my family made this position very attractive to me.”
Keenum said there will be a press conference in Tucson Wednesday officially announcing the hire and introducing Byrne as Arizona’s new A.D.
As for the Bulldogs, Keenum said the search for Byrne’s successor begins now.
“I am committed to building on that foundation by hiring an energetic and visionary leader to keep the momentum going,” he said. “I am confident we will find that highly motivated, enthusiastic individual to lead our great Mississippi State University athletic program. The national search will begin immediately.”
Updated on Monday, March 22, 2010 at 10:15 a.m.