Utah athletics: Kyle Brennan backs out of Montana State A.D. job, will return to U.

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After accepting the athletic director's job at Montana State last week, Kyle Brennan has had a change of heart and will return to his old job as Utah's deputy athletic director.

Reached Tuesday, Brennan called his reversal "a total family decision." He met with Montana State president Waded Cruzado Monday evening to tell her he was backing out of the job.

"Soon after accepting the position as athletics director at Montana State, I realized I did not want to leave the University of Utah," Brennan said in a statement released by Utah. "I am grateful to the administration at Montana State for offering me the job and I regret putting them in a bad situation, but I realized this is the best place for my family. In no way is this a reflection on Montana State, but rather a reflection on my position here at Utah."

Brennan's wife, Beth, also will return to her old job as the Utah football program''s academic coordinator.

According to a Montana State release, Brennan sought out Cruzado Monday afternoon and met with her that evening.

Cruzado said Brennan expressed concern about finding affordable housing in Bozeman, moving his children into new schools and that, overall, the move "didn't feel right."

Brennan was slated to make $185,000 annually as Montana State's A.D.

"It would be an understatement to say I am disappointed," said Cruzado. "We simply have been dealt an extraordinarily rare and unfortunate hand."

Hired by Utah in 2008 as an associate athletic director over compliance, Brennan quickly gained additional responsibilities in the department, overseeing Utah's multi-million construction of football and men's basketball facilities, as well as new tennis courts. He also presided over event management, human resources and equipment among other duties for the athletic department.

Named Utah's first deputy athletic director in 2014, he was widely seen as a possible heir apparent to AD Chris Hill, who has served in his position since 1987.

"I did not make this decision lightly, but when I considered all of the factors, it became clear to me that staying here was in my family's best interest," Brennan said. "Among those factors were finances, my wife Beth's job with the football team — which she very much enjoys — and the top-flight medical care available to our son Mac.

"The bottom line is we love University of Utah athletics and Salt Lake City and realized that this is where we want to be."