After 10 memorable, meaningful, and sometimes miraculous years in Cedar City, I’m excited (and pretty emotional) to share that I’ve accepted a new position at Brigham Young University-Idaho, where I’ll be helping to build a sports management program from the ground up starting in April 2026.
This is a big move for our family, but also a homecoming. BYU-Idaho is my alma mater, it’s where Summer and I met, and it’s where we started our family. It feels like life has come full circle in a beautiful and unexpected way.
For those familiar with BYU-Idaho, you know this isn’t your typical sports management job, as the university doesn’t sponsor intercollegiate athletics. So, instead of relying on the athletic department, we’ll build the program on the foundation of BYU-Idaho’s thriving intramural program (hands down the best in the nation), supported by local sports opportunities through the Idaho Falls Chukars (MiLB) and the Idaho Falls Spud Kings (USPHL). I also look to build relationships with Idaho State Athletics, BYU Athletics, the Idaho High School Activities Association, and the Big Sky Conference to further support our students and program. It’s a unique challenge (and an incredible opportunity) to reimagine what sports management education can look like in a non-traditional setting. I’m energized by the possibilities and incredibly excited to get started.
That said, this transition is bittersweet. I’ve truly loved my time at Southern Utah University. I came to SUU as a clueless SID and a young dad, unsure of what kind of career or community I would find. What I found was so much more than a job—it was a family. A place to grow, to serve, to teach, and to learn. SUU was an easy place to fall in love with. I am set to earn rank advancement and tenure this year, and I honestly thought I’d be here forever. And in many ways, I would’ve loved that.
To my students: I’m sorry I won’t be there to see many of you graduate or to hang out in the classroom every week. But please know that my commitment to you doesn’t end with a change of address or new employer. You still have my number. You still have my network. And you still have my full support. Nothing will stop me from cheering you on, reviewing your résumés, calling in favors, and doing everything I can to help you break into the sports industry. I promise to stay as involved as SUU allows. And I trust you will show my replacement the same level of love and friendship that you’ve shown me.
To my colleagues: Thank you for making the past decade so rich. Especially to Matt Barton, Braden Bagley, Bill Kershisnik, and Angela Eyre (and I don’t say this lightly)—I would’ve left SUU years ago if it weren’t for you. Only you four know how difficult the past few years have been for me and my family, and your friendship and daily encouragement made every challenge and slight more bearable, every success and victory more meaningful. The thought of not spending the rest of my career with you was the hardest part of this decision.
To the incredible team at SUU Athletics: From Ken Beazer and Kyle Newhouse, who first brought me to Cedar City, to Shon Spevak and Todd Brown, who guided and mentored me through every phase, and most recently Jeff Tukuafu and Cedric Brown, who have showered our students with (almost) as much love and dedication as much as I have—it’s been an honor to work alongside you. Your support, collaboration, and commitment to experiential learning have left a lasting mark. But don’t think you’re off the hook. I plan on calling in for more guest lectures and Zoom favors than ever.
For those who may be hurt or disappointed by this news, please know that this decision came after much prayer, reflection, and family discussion. And while it’s hard to leave behind the life we’ve built in southern Utah, Summer and I feel complete peace and genuine excitement about what lies ahead.
I’m taking so many unforgettable memories with me. From late nights with Bryson Lester after basketball games, to building the sports comm program alongside Art Challis, to relaunching and reimagining the student newspaper with Cassidy Harmon, Connor Sanders, and a long list of amazing student journalists, I’ve been blessed to work with truly remarkable people. I’ll always treasure the hallway laughs and the countless moments that reminded me why I love this work. Through all the challenges, the good has always outweighed the bad, and that’s the memory I’ll carry with me forever.
T-Bird Nation, thank you for shaping the last ten years of my life. There are far too many of you to give individualized shoutouts (Eric Kirby, Jared Tippets, Grant Corser, Craig Lewis, Jonathan Holiman, Kevin Stein, Ryan Steineckert, David Hatch, Kyle Birnbrauer, Taylor Whitson, Scotty Bauman, Tracy Sanders, Todd Simon, John Wardenburg, Flynn Clayman, Bryce Martin, McKay Pett, Colton Gordon, Josh Price, Naki Asisi, Jean Boreen, Kale Nelson, Kendall McGuire, Matthew Verdielle, to name a few more). I’m eternally grateful for the guidance and friendship you’ve extended to me over the years.
And to my new colleagues and the Sport & Recreation Management students at BYU-Idaho: get your campus-approved exercise clothes on (lol)… we’ve got work to do. I’m on a mission to build the premier undergraduate sports management experience in the nation. This is our time to lead, create, innovate, and to show the world just how far the mighty branches of BYU-Idaho can reach through the power and purpose of sport.
Here’s to new beginnings in Rexburg.
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.” – Nelson Mandela
“Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.”
– Alma 26:12
Hayden Coombs 