MSU AD J Batt Places Emphasis on Football
J Batt was publicly introduced as Michigan State’s new athletic director on Wednesday, and the Tom Izzo Football Building was buzzing with excitement.
Batt is expected to lift this athletic department back to national prominence, and of course, that is going to start with fundraising for name, image and likeness (NIL).
Fans’ biggest concerns center around the football team. The program hasn’t made a bowl game since 2021 and has struggled to bring in top-tier high school recruits and transfers.
Batt understands that an athletic department is only able to prosper if its football program does, and he acknowledged the emphasis that will be placed on supporting the program and Jonathan Smith with what they need to be successful.
“It’s imperative we support all our sports, Batt said on Wednesday, “but do not be confused — every athletics department competing at the highest level must be successful in football. So, coach (Tom) Izzo and I have already talked. Coach is the biggest supporter of our football program there is.
“We’ll do everything we possibly can to dive in, help coach Smith and continue to drive excellence and support you in all you need, coach, while continuing to provide championship-level resources for all of our programs.
“This is a top-10 athletic department in the country. I’ll say it again: This is a top-10 athletic department in the country.”
