Michigan State University President Recommends J Batt for Athletic Director

Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz has put forth a recommendation to the board of trustees to appoint J Batt as the new athletic director, according to a source familiar with the situation.

This insider, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the announcement, indicated that an official statement regarding Batt's selection could come as early as Monday.

For the past month, the university has been on the lookout for a new athletic director, with assistance from Hall of Fame basketball coach Tom Izzo and Deputy Athletic Director Jennifer Smith.

Alan Haller, the previous athletic director, stepped down from his role on May 11, prompting the search for his successor.

Since taking the helm at Georgia Tech in fall 2022, Batt has made significant moves, including hiring football coach Brent Key, who has successfully led the team to consecutive winning seasons after a challenging stretch of four losing seasons. Additionally, he brought in Damon Stoudamire to coach the basketball team, who managed a .500 record in his second year.

Before his tenure at Georgia Tech, Batt served as executive deputy athletics director at Alabama, where he held key roles such as chief operating officer and chief revenue officer within the athletic department.

Recognized for his fundraising prowess, Batt is seen as a valuable asset in today’s competitive college athletics landscape. He spearheaded a 10-year, $600 million fundraising initiative for Alabama athletics and achieved a remarkable $78.2 million in fundraising during his first fiscal year at Georgia Tech, exceeding previous records by over 40%.

At Michigan State, Batt's primary objectives will likely include enhancing fundraising efforts and revitalizing the football program—possibly prioritizing financial growth over athletic success.

Starting next year, universities will be permitted to distribute up to $20.5 million in revenue directly to athletes, supplementing third-party name, image, and likeness agreements facilitated by school-affiliated collectives.

Under Haller's leadership, Michigan State secured Big Ten championships across various sports, including men's basketball and women's soccer. In 2024, student-athletes achieved a record cumulative GPA of 3.4324 within the athletic department.

However, the Spartans have faced challenges on the football field, enduring three consecutive losing seasons. In coach Jonathan Smith's inaugural year, the team finished with a 5-7 overall record and 3-6 in the Big Ten, with modest expectations set for his second season.

Haller, originally from Lansing, Michigan, was appointed vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics in September 2021.

Note: The above video first aired on May 1, 2025.