Ryan Smith Weighs In On BYU Athletics Director Search
Feb 25, 2025, 3:26 PM | Updated: 3:29 pm
PROVO, Utah – Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club owner Ryan Smith is one of the prominent alumni of BYU.
Since graduating from BYU in 2016, the billionaire owner of Utah’s two professional franchises has remained supportive of his alma mater and its athletic teams.
That support was on display two weeks ago when Smith was in attendance at the BYU Broadcasting building for the retirement news conference of BYU athletics director Tom Holmoe.
Ryan Smith was there with BYU great and Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge.
During Holmoe’s comments at the news conference, he mentioned his friendship with Smith.
After the news conference concluded, Smith spoke with Holmoe and BYU’s Deputy AD Brian Santiago, among others.
Recently, Smith hopped on the KSL Sports Zone’s David James and Patrick Kinahan on “DJ & PK.” He primarily discussed the Jazz and Utah Hockey Club with the KSL Sports Zone, but they also discussed BYU’s athletics director search.
Ryan Smith calls BYU AD Tom Holmoe “a legend”
When discussing the topic of BYU’s next AD, Smith first pointed out Holmoe’s success over the last 20 years leading the BYU Cougars athletic department.
“What a legend, what a run,” Smith said on Holmoe to the KSL Sports Zone.
“I grew up, and Tom was kind of in my neighborhood growing up, I think, while he was still playing or just done playing. He’s been such a gift to Utah. California kid, transplant here. I know his family; he’s done such a good job. His son actually worked with me for 10 years. I just absolutely love, love, love that family. And his temperament, his demeanor, the way he led, not shying away from anything, any controversy, and always handled himself in a way that kind of would make everyone proud with a long-term vision of, you know, how to do things the right way. Even though, I can imagine the amount of times it wasn’t easy, especially in that role. I mean, BYU as an AD, is not an easy role. It takes a very specific skill set.”
Smith shares his thoughts on BYU’s Brian Santiago
Would BYU’s Deputy Athletic Director Brian Santiago be the man to fit that specific skill set? Smith was asked what he would say if someone came to him and said, “What do you think about Brian Santiago to replace Tom Holmoe? What would be your response?”
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“Likewise, I’ve known Brian (Santiago) forever,” said Smith. “Those who know him know that he truly makes magic happen. I know that there’s a lot of programs in the country that would like to bring him as their AD. He knows a lot of those people. So, BYU will get the right answer. They always do.”
Tom Holmoe told KSL NewsRadio’s Cougar Sports Saturday on February 15 that Santiago “knows the ropes” and is one of the candidates BYU will be looking at in the AD search.
Smith highlighted how close Holmoe and Santiago have worked together in BYU’s athletic department.
“If you look at Brian and Tom, they’ve kind of done it together,” Smith said on DJ & PK. “Whether it’s hiring Coach (Kevin) Young or Kalani (Sitake), they’ve done a really good job and a unique job. It’s a very, very unique job. It’s definitely complicated. And they’ve figured out a way to play to the strengths. I don’t think people understand how well they both curated what is a growing and very large alumni base.”
BYU is continuing to conduct a national search to find its next athletics director.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
