Kentucky seeks J Batt as new athletic director amid transition
8 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 13, 2026, 11:42 PM
Last updated Jun 13, 2026
Kentucky is targeting Michigan State athletic director J Batt to replace Mitch Barnhart, who is set to retire on June 30. Batt joined Michigan State in June 2025 after a role at Georgia Tech. His contract includes a provision that halves his buyout from $5 million to $2.5 million following the departure of MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz. Batt has been active in fundraising and development initiatives at MSU, including a new fundraising arm, Spartan Ventures. Reports indicate that discussions are ongoing, but no deal has been finalized.
- •Mitch Barnhart retires as Kentucky athletic director on June 30.
- •J Batt was hired by Michigan State in June 2025 from Georgia Tech.
- •Batt's buyout reduces to $2.5 million after Guskiewicz's departure.
- •He implemented major fundraising and operational changes at MSU.
- •Discussions for Batt's potential hire at Kentucky are ongoing.
- 12:20 AMESPN — Sources: Kentucky targeting Michigan St. AD Batt
- 10:25 PMYahoo Sports — MSU AD J Batt lead candidate for Kentucky job: report
- 10:21 PMYahoo Sports — J Batt, Michigan State AD, is finalist for Kentucky job after 1 year
- 10:11 PMYahoo Sports — Kentucky targeting Michigan State’s J Batt to be next athletic director
"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.
"Michigan State athletic director J Batt, who was hired in June 2025, reportedly is a finalist for the same position at Kentucky.
"Kentucky has targeted Michigan State athletic director J Batt to be the school's new athletic director, sources said.
Sources
External links- ESPNJun 14, 2026, 12:20 AMSources: Kentucky targeting Michigan St. AD Batt
Kentucky has targeted Michigan State athletic director J Batt to be the school's new athletic director, sources said.
- Yahoo SportsJun 13, 2026, 10:25 PMMSU AD J Batt lead candidate for Kentucky job: report
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.
- Yahoo SportsJun 13, 2026, 10:21 PMJ Batt, Michigan State AD, is finalist for Kentucky job after 1 year
Michigan State athletic director J Batt, who was hired in June 2025, reportedly is a finalist for the same position at Kentucky.
- Yahoo SportsJun 13, 2026, 10:11 PMKentucky targeting Michigan State’s J Batt to be next athletic director
J Batt appears poised to replace Mitch Barnhart.
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