He could have left in the midst of a storm that much of America was watching.

But instead of heading back to his roots, Mark Yudof stuck it out and did what he was hired to do at the University of Minnesota.

His job.

Yudof, who was courted to become the chancellor at the University of Texas just a couple of years ago, recently announced his departure to the Lone Star State to take that position.

However, Yudof's accomplishments and leadership should not go unnoticed.

Of course, many will remember how Yudof handled the hot potato in the U's athletic department, specifically with former men's basketball coach Clem Haskins and the buying out of Haskins' contract.

But it's the little things that people shouldn't forget that Yudof also did.

Helping students move into dorm rooms. Pitching in to clean around university buildings.

And when you have to go toe to toe with Gov. Jesse Ventura nearly every year for funding, that alone is thankless work.

Yudof's work here is nearly complete. But his accomplishments won't soon be forgotten.