Mark Hollis tells AP he’s interested in Michigan State AD job after Kentucky hires J Batt

Live updates

1. 6d ago

   Mark Hollis signals interest in Michigan State AD role amid leadership void

   Michigan State’s athletic director search remains stalled after Mark Hollis expressed openness to returning to the job. The university faces a leadership crisis following the departures of its president and interim AD. Hollis’s past tenure included multiple championships, but his return is not yet confirmed. Sources differ on whether his interest is serious or exploratory.

   What's confirmed:

   • Mark Hollis, former Michigan State athletic director (2008–2018), told the AP he would be open to discussing a return to the job after Kentucky hired J Batt.
   • Michigan State’s president, Kevin Guskiewicz, left for Clemson less than three weeks before Batt’s departure, creating a dual leadership vacuum.
   • Hollis’s prior tenure at Michigan State included three Final Fours in basketball, a Rose Bowl title (2013–14), three Big Ten football championships, and a 2015 College Football Playoff appearance.
   • Hollis stated he would ‘help in any way that [he] could’ and would ‘listen’ if asked about the AD position.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Hollis’s interest is described as exploratory rather than a definitive commitment to return.
   • Some reports suggest Michigan State may need to ‘go backwards’ (re-hire Hollis) to resolve its leadership instability.
   confidence 92%
2. 7d ago

   Mark Hollis signals interest in Michigan State AD role amid Kentucky poaching of J Batt

   Michigan State’s athletic director search remains uncertain as former AD Mark Hollis confirms interest in returning to the job after Kentucky hired J Batt. Coach Tom Izzo has criticized the instability, while the university’s president also recently left for Clemson. The program faces continued uncertainty with no confirmed AD in place.

   What's confirmed:

   • Mark Hollis has told the AP he is interested in returning to the Michigan State athletic director role.
   • Michigan State’s athletic director position remains vacant following Kentucky’s hiring of J Batt.
   • Former Michigan State AD Mark Hollis has previously stated he would consider returning if asked.
   • Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo has criticized the instability in the athletic department’s leadership.
   • Michigan State’s president recently departed for a position at Clemson.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Michigan State may need to reconsider past leadership choices to stabilize its athletic program.
   confidence 95%
3. 7d ago

   Mark Hollis signals interest in Michigan State AD role amid leadership turmoil

   Michigan State’s athletic director vacancy deepens after Kentucky poached J Batt, leaving the program in flux. Former MSU AD Mark Hollis has told multiple outlets he is open to returning if asked. Coach Tom Izzo has criticized the instability, calling the situation a 'shame.' The university’s president also recently departed for Clemson.

   What's confirmed:

   • Michigan State athletic director J Batt was hired by Kentucky, accelerating the school’s leadership crisis.
   • Former Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis has told the AP and other outlets he is interested in returning to the role if asked.
   • Michigan State president Kevin M. Guskiewicz announced his departure for Clemson at the end of May, compounding the university’s leadership instability.
   • Coach Tom Izzo has called the situation ‘a shame’ and described it as ‘kind of disgusting’ in reaction to Batt’s departure.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Michigan State faces a 'leadership crisis' following the departures of its president and athletic director (source: Times Union).
   confidence 95%
4. 7d ago

   Mark Hollis expresses interest in Michigan State AD role after Kentucky hires J Batt

   Michigan State faces a leadership crisis after losing its president and athletic director in quick succession. Kentucky hired J Batt from Michigan State to replace Mitch Barnhart. Former Michigan State AD Mark Hollis has told the AP he is interested in returning to the role. Coach Tom Izzo has criticized the departures.

   What's confirmed:

   • Michigan State president Kevin M. Guskiewicz announced his departure for Clemson at the end of May.
   • Kentucky hired Michigan State athletic director J Batt to replace Mitch Barnhart, who is retiring.
   • Mark Hollis, former Michigan State athletic director, told the AP he is interested in returning to the role.
   • Tom Izzo called the departures of Guskiewicz and Batt 'kind of disgusting' and lamented their decisions to leave.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Kentucky established a 'championship standard' it aims to uphold with Batt’s hiring, according to one source.
   confidence 97%