Kentucky seeks J Batt as new athletic director amid transition

The University of Kentucky on Monday announced the hiring of J Batt as its next athletics director and chief executive officer of Champions Blue LLC.

The University of Kentucky has hired athletic director J Batt away from Michigan State, a little more than a year after he left Georgia Tech. Kentucky announced the move on Monday. Shortly thereafter, former Michigan State AD Mark Hollis told The Associated P…

The University of Kentucky has hired athletic director J Batt away from Michigan State, a little more than a year after he left Georgia Tech. Kentucky announced the move on Monday, delivering another blow to Michigan State's leadership. “The championship standard has been established at Kentucky and we are committed to upholding that standard of excellence,” Batt said.

Kentucky hired away J Batt from Michigan State less than a month after the departure of MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz.

J Batt is the new athletics director at Kentucky. The former Michigan State AD succeeds Mitch Barnhart, who had been in the position since 2002.

Kentucky is strongly pursuing Michigan State's athletic director J Batt for the current AD opening. Batt has a reputation of a "prolific fundraiser".

Kentucky looking to hire Michigan State AD J Batt.

Kentucky has targeted Michigan State athletic director J Batt to be the school's new athletic director, sources said.

Michigan State athletic director J Batt, who was hired in June 2025, reportedly is a finalist for the same position at Kentucky.

A day after Board of Trustees chair Brianna Scott said she expected J Batt to remain as MSU’s AD, it appears the situation may be more complicated.

J Batt appears poised to replace Mitch Barnhart.