New Spartans AD Could Bring New Football Coach. Full details and speculations 👇🏻
Michigan State University has officially appointed J Batt as its new vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics. Previously serving as the athletic director at Georgia Tech since 2022, Batt is recognized for his innovative leadership and success in fundraising and revenue generation. His tenure at Georgia Tech included significant achievements such as raising $73 million through the A-T Fund in his first year and advancing the “Full Steam Ahead” initiative toward its $500 million facilities goal .
Batt’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Michigan State athletics, with expectations that his expertise will rejuvenate the program and strengthen community support .
Regarding the football program, Jonathan Smith, who was hired as head coach in 2024, is currently leading the team. Smith previously served as the head coach at Oregon State University from 2018 to 2023 . While there is no official indication of an imminent coaching change, Batt’s history of making strategic personnel decisions suggests that he will closely evaluate the football program’s performance and alignment with the university’s goals.
In summary, while a coaching change is not currently anticipated, the new athletic director’s leadership may influence the future direction of Michigan State’s football program.