Eight years is a long time by law school standards, Matheson said about his tenure as dean of S.J. Quinney College of Law. He will continue to serve in the leadership role until June 30, 2006 - then return to his former job as a full-time U. law professor.

"It seems to me [to be] an appropriate time for another transition, for me and for the law school," Matheson said.

Matheson, the son of the late Scott Matheson Sr. - Utah's last Democratic governor - returned to the U. last January after taking a leave of absence to run for governor in the November election.

He lost to Republican Jon Huntsman Jr.

It's customary for deans and department heads to give an early heads-up when they plan to leave the job, said Professor Emeritus of Law John J. Flynn.

It allows faculty, alumni and U. administrators time to decide what qualities they want in a new dean, said Flynn, adding that Matheson's replacement would have to be someone who is "good at fund-raising" because the law school needs a new building.

"As times change, there are different qualities you look for in a dean," Flynn noted.

Matheson hinted at those qualities as well.

The law school is at the point where a major capital expansion project is on the horizon and it requires a longer commitment than he can make, he said. He says he does not want to have to walk away in the middle of a fund-raising campaign.

"I have enjoyed the job as dean of the law school and I still like it," Matheson said. "But there are some other interests and opportunities that I would like to look into."

sykes@sltrib.com