Michigan State hires Dan Bartholomae as new athletic director
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 17, 2026, 1:33 PM
Last updated Aug 17, 2026
Michigan State University is set to hire Dan Bartholomae, the current athletic director at Western Michigan University, to replace J Batt. The decision comes after Batt's departure to the University of Kentucky and follows a summer marked by leadership changes at MSU, including President Kevin Guskiewicz's brief acceptance and rejection of a position at Clemson. Bartholomae has a strong track record, including overseeing Western Michigan's NCAA hockey championship and facility construction projects. Contract terms for Bartholomae at MSU are yet to be disclosed, as he comes with a significant buyout from his previous position.
- •Dan Bartholomae replaces J Batt as Michigan State athletic director.
- •Bartholomae previously led Western Michigan to a hockey national title.
- •He has experience with major facility projects, including a $515 million arena.
- •Contract details at MSU and buyout specifics are not yet available.
- •Jon Palumbo served as interim AD following Batt's departure.
- 3:33 PMESPN NCAAF — Sources: Michigan State to hire W. Michigan AD
- 2:35 PMYahoo Sports — Michigan State University Has Its New Athletic Director
- 2:18 PMYahoo Sports — Michigan State to hire Dan Bartholomae as AD. Who is he?
- 2:13 PMYahoo Sports — Michigan State to hire WMU's Dan Bartholomae as new athletic director
- 1:33 PMYahoo Sports — Michigan State to hire WMU's Dan Bartholomae as new athletic director: Report
- 1:29 PMYahoo Sports — Michigan State hiring Dan Bartholomae as new athletic director
"Michigan State is finalizing a deal to hire Western Michigan athletic director Dan Bartholomae as its new AD, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Monday.
"MSU is expected to hire Western Michigan athletic director Dan Bartholomae to replace J Batt, who took the Kentucky job in June.
"MSU is expected to hire Western Michigan athletic director Dan Bartholomae to replace J Batt, who took the Kentucky job in June.
Sources
External links- ESPN NCAAFAug 17, 2026, 3:33 PMSources: Michigan State to hire W. Michigan AD
Michigan State is finalizing a deal to hire Western Michigan athletic director Dan Bartholomae as its new AD, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Monday.
- Yahoo SportsAug 17, 2026, 2:35 PMMichigan State University Has Its New Athletic Director
Dan Bartholomae tabbed to lead Spartan sports
- Yahoo SportsAug 17, 2026, 2:18 PMMichigan State to hire Dan Bartholomae as AD. Who is he?
The Spartans have chosen an in-state official to take over the school's athletic department.
- Yahoo SportsAug 17, 2026, 2:13 PMMichigan State to hire WMU's Dan Bartholomae as new athletic director
MSU is expected to hire Western Michigan athletic director Dan Bartholomae to replace J Batt, who took the Kentucky job in June.
- Yahoo SportsAug 17, 2026, 1:33 PMMichigan State to hire WMU's Dan Bartholomae as new athletic director: Report
MSU is expected to hire Western Michigan athletic director Dan Bartholomae to replace J Batt, who took the Kentucky job in June.
- Yahoo SportsAug 17, 2026, 1:29 PMMichigan State hiring Dan Bartholomae as new athletic director
Michigan State is hiring Western Michigan's Dan Bartholomae to be its next athletic director, a source tells The Detroit News.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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