Editor’s note: On May 2, Kyle Brennan was hired as Montana State’s athletic director. On May 9, MSU president Waded Cruzado announced Brennan’s resignation from his position. Hours later on Tuesday, Cruzado named former South Dakota State deputy athletic director Leon Costello as Montana State’s new AD. Found here is the audio of the interview Costello conducted with Colter Nuanez of Skyline Sports and Parker Gabriel of the Bozeman Daily Chronicle following Costello’s address of the public during a meet and greet on April 29.
Montana State press release
Montana State University has received a verbal commitment from Leon Costello, current Deputy Director of Athletics at South Dakota State University, to serve as MSU’s next Athletics Director.
This comes less than 24 hours after Kyle Brennan, who publicly accepted the Bobcat AD job on May 2 in Bozeman, told the university that he was backing out of the job to stay in Salt Lake City to remain as the Deputy Athletic Director at the University of Utah.
Everything happens for a reason and today the reason is Leon Costello,” said MSU President Waded Cruzado. “Leon was a very strong candidate in our finalists’ pool and today he has shown his leadership, strength and commitment to Montana State University.”
“Leon has an incredible track-record of success in a land-grant institution. He cares passionately about the student-athletes and is a collaborative leader who will inspire coaches, staff, alumni and fans,” Cruzado said of the decision.
“Leon has been instrumental in bringing the community together to build athletic facilities that have strengthened the university’s mission. He has infused a sense of enthusiasm and hope in the future. We know he will do the same at Montana State University,” Cruzado said.
Costello will start on July 1, 2016. His salary will be $185,000 per year.
In his role as a deputy director at South Dakota State University, Costello oversees the day-to-day operations of the athletic department and directs the implementation of the five-year strategic plan. To date, he has worked on all facets of the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex and Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium; including planning, design, fundraising and premium seating sales. He has been at South Dakota State since 2010 and was promoted to deputy director in July 2014.
