Fresno State athletics director Thomas Boeh withdrew his candidacy to be Rutgers’ next AD on Sunday morning, according to a university release.

Several local news outlets reported Boeh was among one of three finalists for the AD position at Rutgers, which will be moving to the Big Ten Conference in 2014-15.

The Rutgers athletics director position has been vacant since former AD Tim Pernetti resigned in early April amidst a scandal involving former men’s basketball coach Mike Rice and the mistreatment of players in the program.

“It was flattering and gratifying to be considered for the Director of Athletics position at Rutgers,” Boeh said in a university release.

“It was flattering because Rutgers is an exceptional and highly prestigious institution transitioning into the Big Ten Conference. It was gratifying to learn that those across the country have taken notice of the tremendous progress and extraordinary achievements of Fresno State student-athletes, coaches and staff over these past several years. For my name to be associated with the Rutgers search is a tribute to all involved and who have worked so hard to put Fresno State back in a positive light.”

Under Boeh, who is in his eighth year at Fresno State, the school has captured 38 conference titles — the most prominent being a share of the 2012 Mountain West Conference football championship.

Fresno State opens the 2013 football season on Aug. 29 against Rutgers at Bulldog Stadium.

“In the end, we have built a great deal of equity into our athletics program here in the San Joaquin Valley. And, along with others in our community, I look forward to the very bright future of the Fresno State Bulldogs,” Boeh said.