Pat Fitzgerald is thrilled that Michigan State is retaining Kevin Guskiewicz

Michigan State made one of the biggest moves of the offseason, convincing President Kevin Guskiewicz to change his mind and return to East Lansing not long after accepting a job with Clemson.

Losing Guskiewicz arguably the worst development of the year for Michigan State, followed closely by Michigan winning the national title in basketball.

Unlike that Michigan title, the Guskiewicz decision flipped and good news came from it.

After some reflection and many conversations, the school’s “maybe best president ever” — in the words of Tom Izzo — decided to reject the Clemson offer that was originally accepted top return to Michigan State, signing a five-year deal worth about $1 million annually.

Izzo was happy about the news and released a statement that highlighted how big this was for the university. His football counterpart was also thrilled.

Pat Fitzgerald shared his thoughts on Twitter when the news became official.

Fitzgerald, like Izzo, is thrilled to have his president back and he was one of the main reasons why the head coach was fired up to join Michigan State. When he was hired, Fitzgerald cited the fact that everyone was on the same page from the president all the way down to the athletic department, and even thought J Batt has moved on, the school retained its most important figure not named Izzo.

Having Guskiewicz back has rejuvenated the entire athletic department and university. Izzo was right when he said that a united university and alum base would do wonders.

Michigan State is moving forward with no desire of bringing back Batt which tells us a lot about how Guskiewicz felt about how he left. It’s also telling that Izzo and Fitzgerald pushed the “Kevin G” campaign and didn’t make any statements about Batt leaving that would hint at them wanting him back. The school is retaining the right guy, and Fitzgerald and Izzo are proving that.

All Michigan State needs is an athletic director

After losing Batt, there was plenty of uncertainty within the athletic department, but that’s since been quelled by the return of Guskiewicz. Unfortunately, Batt has stuck around and he’s being paid by Michigan State essentially to promote Kentucky athletics.

Now it’s up to Guskiewicz to find an athletic director that fits the department and I’m sure he’s going to have plenty of input from Izzo and Fitzgerald.

Whoever the next hire is, you can bet that they’re going to be a culture fit more so than Batt was, but it can’t be just that. The school needs a guy who wants to be in East Lansing and is willing to see his vision through but also one who can fundraise and give revenue-generating sports all they need to succeed and rise to the top of the sport.

The next hire is going to be one of the most important in school history and that’s probably why there are murmurs of Mark Hollis making a return.

The next one has to stick for a while or else Michigan State will never reach the mountaintop.

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