In the wake of news that Mississippi State University Athletic Director Greg Byrne will resign to take the Athletic Director position at the University Arizona, MSU President Mark Keenum said the search for Byrne’s replacement will begin immediately.
“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.”
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 was recommended to Arizona President Robert Shelton by former NCAA Executive Director Cedric Dempsey. Dempsey told the Arizona Daily Star he labeled Byrne as a young up-and-comer, and said he knew it was a tough decision for Byrne after he made his first attempt to get in touch with MSU’s Athletic Director.
“Greg didn’t call [back] about the job himself; he called to recommend two other people,” he said. “But I stayed with him and remained in contact for two or three weeks. He really struggled with the decision. I can tell you this: He didn’t do it for the money.”
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.
Mullen said he has a soft spot in his heart for the man who gave him his first head-coaching job, but said MSU will still do great things after Byrne leaves.
“I will forever be grateful to Greg Byrne for giving me the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream, and while I’m saddened by his departure, I understand and respect his decision for his family,” Mullen said. “Greg made a huge difference at Mississippi State, and we will continue to build a football program upon his vision for what Bulldog athletics should be – relentlessly competing for championships.”
Byrne, who attended Arizona State University and grew up in the West, said the best interests of his family ultimately swayed his decision.
“Centermost in those items I consider is the effect a professional decision would have on my family,” Byrne said in a statement. “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.”
Byrne also said the challenge of rebuilding Arizona athletics is one that is very appealing to him. He said his style at UA will be similar to what he has done at Mississippi State in his time here.
“This decision was more than just family,” he said. “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 those positions.
“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.”
Byrne’s exact date of departure is unclear, but it appears he will remain with the university through the majority of April, as Keenum searches for his successor. Keenum said he plans to hire a national search firm to help find MSU’s next Athletic Director.
Men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury said he wishes Byrne and his family nothing but the best.
“Greg has been great to work with these past two seasons,” he said. “I’ve been very appreciative of his commitment and support to my family and our basketball program. He’s been great to work with in terms of a coach-boss relationship, and now he has an opportunity to better himself and his family. You can’t fault a man for that.”