Michigan State reportedly made a massive move on Monday. Reports are indicating that the Spartans have found their next athletic director, and if it becomes official, it would have to be regarded as a home run hire in the world of AD hires.
MSU is reportedly finalizing a deal with Western Michigan athletic director Dan Bartholomae to become the school’s next AD, replacing Jon Palumbo who had been serving in an interim role after J Batt abruptly left for Kentucky.
Bartholomae was at the top of the list of candidates the moment Batt left and the fact that Kevin Guskiewicz and the university were able to close on Bartholomae is a great sign.
It shows that Michigan State’s brand still has some juice.
Sources: Western Michigan athletic director Dan Bartholomae is finalizing a deal to become the athletic director at Michigan State. He's led WMU to a national title in hockey and the school is coming off a MAC title in football. He's led the school to record-breaking… pic.twitter.com/YxpfbCyDMj
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 17, 2026
This has been the rumored top target for a little while now and there were even growing rumors a week ago that the university was getting set to announce its next athletic director, but now a week later, everything is falling into place.
It’s rare that Michigan State lands its first choice, but you have to give it up to the people in charge for getting a rumored deal done.
Dan Bartholomae is exactly who Michigan State needed
Bartholomae is now being reported as the next AD hire and Michigan State fans should be rejoicing because this is a guy who knows how to deliver with fundraising and actual wins.
During his time at Western Michigan, he’s overseen a successful era of football which just concluded with a MAC title a season ago, and the hockey program won a national title under his leadership. He is going to have a huge helping hand in the turnaround of Michigan State’s football program under Pat Fitzgerald and he’ll give Tom Izzo everything he needs to chase his second national title.
Michigan State has needed an athletic director like Bartholomae since Mark Hollis retired and everyone was hoping that Batt was going to be that guy. Unfortunately, he looked out for himself instead of the better of the university and ditched Michigan State when times got tough.
Bartholomae is going to be the fundraiser that Batt was touted to be while ensuring that Michigan State athletics are competing at the highest level in every major sport.
Michigan State wants to be taken seriously and this is a hire that’s going to make sure that it is.
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