UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler has named Mark Coyle as the next director of Gopher Athletics, pending approval by the University’s Board of Regents. Coyle, a former athletic administrator at the U, returns to Gopher Athletics after serving as athletics director at Syracuse University and Boise State University and as deputy athletics director at the University of Kentucky. “We are thrilled to welcome Mark back to the University of Minnesota,” Kaler said. “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.” Coyle, 47, served as Associate Athletic Director for External Relations at the University of Minnesota from 2001 to 2005, where he was responsible for managing the marketing and sales unit, athletic communications, the ticket office and licensing.