Mark Coyle leaves Syracuse to become new Minnesota AD

Syracuse's Mark Coyle is leaving the program to become the new athletic director at Minnesota, the school announced Wednesday.

The 47-year-old noted the move is for family reasons. He's previously worked for the Golden Gophers as associate athletic director of external relations.

"We are thrilled to welcome Mark back to the University of Minnesota," said president Eric Kaler. "Mark's previous contributions and experience in Gopher Athletics, combined with his leadership credentials at major athletic departments such as Syracuse, Boise State, and Kentucky make him the ideal candidate to lead Gopher Athletics into the future."

Prior to joining Syracuse, Coyle served as the athletic director at Boise State and the deputy athletics director at Kentucky.

"I am so honored to have the opportunity to return to the University of Minnesota and the Big Ten," Coyle said. "This is a tremendous athletics department made up of talented student-athletes and accomplished coaches. I loved my time in Gopher Athletics during an earlier part of my career and I look forward to leading the athletic programs of this great University."

Coyle's stay with the Orange was brief, as he was only given the job in June 2015. During that stint, though, he made a significant move in the football program, firing Scott Shafer and replacing him with Dino Babers this past offseason.

The Gophers have been looking for a replacement for Norwood Teague, who resigned last August after admitting to sending inappropriate texts to a university employee.