Tensions have risen in the Spartan community recently, as now the university will seek to hire a new president and athletic director.

On Monday morning, June 15, former athletic director and vice president, J. Batt, announced his resignation only one year after arriving in East Lansing. He will now take over the reins of Kentucky as their new Director of Athletics. Batt previously arrived from Georgia Tech, who was highly sought after by former university president Kevin Guskiewicz.

“We couldn’t be more excited to join the University of Kentucky and the Big Blue Nation,” Batt said in a release by the University of Kentucky. “The championship standard has been established at Kentucky and we are committed to upholding that standard of excellence."

Like Batt, Guskiewicz will be heading a new university for this coming fall. Despite major efforts to retain him, including a doubled salary of $2 million, he chose to become the next president of Clemson University for less pay. He served in the high seat for just over two years at Michigan State.

“Since being named president, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the remarkable impact Michigan State University has on our state, our nation and our world,” Guskiewicz said in a letter. “I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to serve this institution and to work alongside so many dedicated students, faculty, staff, coaches, alumni, donors and supporters.”

Guskiewicz cited tensions with the school’s board of trustees as a main reason for exiting. Notably on Batt, his buyout was cut in half to $2.5 million following Guskiewicz’s departure.

Michigan State will now be tasked to hire the school’s seventh president and third non-interim athletic director since 2018. Many fans and faculty have been disgruntled by the quick turnover regarding leadership. Men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo, who has been a Spartan staffer for over 43 years, talked to reporters after the athletic department hosted a press conference to announce a 10-year jersey patch sponsorship with MSU Federal Credit Union.

“I’m very upset about it and I’m sick of it,” said. “I think 600,000 living alums better start rallying together. If there was ever a time that we need to rally together, it’s now.”

The search for a new president is in the early stages, while the athletic director posting will be evaluated shortly.

Head shots courtesy of Michigan State University.