Latest news with #AlanHaller
CBS News
02-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Michigan State University names J Batt as new athletic director
Michigan State University on Monday named J Batt as its new vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics. Batt has served as the vice president and director of athletics at Georgia Tech since 2022. He replaces Alan Haller, who announced on May 1 that he was leaving the university. "J has an impressive record at several Power 5 schools and an impeccable reputation as a strong and innovative leader," said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz in a news release. "He will bring experience, excitement and a commitment to elevating Spartan athletics to the next level. We are thrilled to have J join our leadership team at Michigan State." MSU's Board of Trustees will vote on Batt's contract and appointment at its June 13 meeting. Batt will start the week of June 16. "This is truly an amazing opportunity to lead an outstanding, tradition-rich and passionate program, and I am grateful to President Guskiewicz and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity," Batt said. "Working together, in alignment with university leadership, the full athletics department and an enthusiastic fan base, we can take the positive momentum already happening at MSU and reach new levels of success as we move into the next era of intercollegiate athletics. My family and I look forward to joining the Michigan State and East Lansing communities." During Batt's tenure with Georgia Tech's athletic department, the school has broken records for athletic fundraising, achieved a 94% graduation rate and renovated and built several athletic facilities. Georgia Tech's football team also earned back-to-back bowl berths for the first time since 2013-14 and made its first appearance in the Associated Press Top 25 poll in nine years. Batt also serves on the House Settlement Implementation Committee and is chair of the College Football Hall of Fame. "This is a key moment in the history of Michigan State Athletics," said men's basketball head coach and current co-interim director of athletics Tom Izzo. "With J Batt's hiring, President Kevin Guskiewicz has found the right person to lead our department as college athletics continues to evolve. J has displayed tremendous innovation as a leader and has a proven track record of revenue generation. We are excited to welcome J and his family to Michigan State." Before his time at Georgia Tech, Batt served as executive deputy director of athletics, chief operating officer and chief revenue officer for the University of Alabama from 2017-22. He also held roles at East Carolina University, the University of Maryland, James Madison University, William & Mary and the University of North Carolina. Batt earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications and a master's degree in sports administration from North Carolina, where he was a member of the 2001 NCAA championship men's soccer squad.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller issues statement on his dismissal
Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller issues statement on his dismissal Michigan State made some headlines this week when it was announced that they would be parting ways with athletic director Alan Haller, who has served four years as AD for the Spartans. On Friday, Haller issued a statement acknowledging and addressing the decision. In the letter, addressed to the Spartan Community, Haller highlighted disagreements with 'individuals in positions of significant influence' as a major factor in his dismissal. You can read the full statement below: Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Alan Haller's dismissal cuts MSU football head coach Jonathan Smith's buyout in half
Alan Haller's dismissal cuts MSU football head coach Jonathan Smith's buyout in half On Thursday, Michigan State dropped a bombshell when they announced they would be parting ways with athletic director Alan Haller. While the news will obviously have ramifications and ripple effects across all MSU athletics, it will also have a direct impact on the football program. Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press reported on Friday that Haller's dismissal has triggered a clause in Michigan State football head coach Jonathan Smith's contract, which would cut his potential buyout if he decided to take a job at another school by 50-percent. The clause states: 'In the event Alan Haller is no longer serving as the Athletics Director at the time of termination, the Liquidated Buyout shall be reduced by 50%.' According to Solari, this language was not in Mark Dantonio or Mel Tucker's contracts, nor is it present in Tom Izzo's contract either. If Smith did decide to take another job now that the man who hired him was dismissed, it would only cost that school $3 million, which is about what MSU originally paid to Oregon State to land Smith in the first place, a relatively low number for a long-time Power Five coach and the head of a major Big Ten program. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Social media reacts to MSU parting ways with AD Alan Haller
Michigan State made a monumental move on Thursday in its decision to part ways with athletic direct Alan Haller, which of course resulted in reactions from media and fans. The news broke on Thursday that Haller will no longer be the Spartans athletic director starting in a few weeks. Haller's final day in the role will be May 11. After being appointed as the school's athletic director in September of 2021, Haller spent nearly four years in the role, making a plethora of different coaching hires that include Jonathan Smith and Adam Nightingale. Spartan athletes also posted the highest cumulative GPA in athletic department history in 2024 under his tutelage. So how did fans and media react to this notable Michigan State athletics news? Check out some of the best reactions from Thursday below: Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Two internal candidates tabbed as interim co-athletic directors
Two internal candidates tabbed as interim co-athletic directors Michigan State University made waves across the country when they announced that they were firing Alan Haller as the school's athletic director. The decision was made by MSU's new president Kevin Guskiewicz, who will now begin a national search for someone that will take over the vacancy that Haller is leaving. In the interim, Michigan State will need to find guidance from within, and Guskiewicz has tabbed two candidates internally to fill the position in an interim capacity. MSU head basketball coach Tom Izzo will join Jen Smith, MSU's deputy athletic director and senior women's administrator/compliance, as co-interim athletic directors until an official, permanent hire is made. Michigan State will be on the lookout for someone to increase the Spartans efforts in a fundraising capacity. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
