PROVO — Code words the likes of competitive and passionate often are attached to BYU's new athletic director. His critics might not be quite as polite, preferring to describe Brian Santiago as a hothead or arrogant.

Brian Santiago's work will start right away — and BYU's new athletic director knows what his first priority will be.

Following a national search, Brigham Young University has appointed Brian Santiago as the university’s next director of athletics. Santiago’s appointment will be formally announced on Wed., May 14, at 10 a.

Santiago, who played basketball at Utah Valley and Fresno State, has long been viewed as a "basketball guy," even playing pivotal roles in the hires of current head coaches Kevin Young and Lee Cummard, as well as former women's basketball coach Amber Whiting.