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Tom Izzo, one of the most prolific Michigan State Spartans coaches ever, had soe strong comments for university leaders after Kentucky Athletics announced on Monday, June 15, that J Batt had been hired as the school's athletic director and as the CEO of Champions Blue, its for-profit NIL arm.
"I'm very upset about it... I think 600,000 living alums better start rallying together. If there's ever a time that we need to rally together, its now," Izzo told Detroit Free Press Michigan State Writer Chris Solari.
More MSU chaos: J Batt officially leaving Michigan State to become Kentucky's AD
"What happened with our president is ridiculous. He said it. We know the reasons (why he left) and I'm ashamed, disgusted and hurt," the coach added.
Izzo said he will provide additional comments in the "very near future."
Batt's decision to leave comes amid turmoil within MSU’s Board of Trustees and leadership, as MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz last month announced he would be leaving MSU for a lower-paying job at Clemson University on Wednesday, May 27.
Batt's move to Kentucky comes after just one year in East Lansing.
"I can't stand what's going on," Izzo said, adding "I've had it."
Batt was born in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia and was part of the 2001 NCAA championship men’s soccer team at UNC, according to a news release.
Michigan State hired Batt away from Georgia Tech in June 2025.
Izzo who is the longtime head coach of the Michigan State Spartans Basketball team, is among the best coaches in the nation.
His resume includes a 2000 NCAA championship, 11 regular-season Big Ten championships, six Big Ten Tournament titles, eight Final Four appearances, eight National Coach of the Year awards and 28 straight NCAA tournament appearances (a record streak for a coach with a single school) in three-plus decades at MSU.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: What did Tom Izzo say about MSU leadership chaos?
Continue reading...
"I'm very upset about it... I think 600,000 living alums better start rallying together. If there's ever a time that we need to rally together, its now," Izzo told Detroit Free Press Michigan State Writer Chris Solari.
More MSU chaos: J Batt officially leaving Michigan State to become Kentucky's AD
"What happened with our president is ridiculous. He said it. We know the reasons (why he left) and I'm ashamed, disgusted and hurt," the coach added.
Izzo said he will provide additional comments in the "very near future."
Batt's decision to leave comes amid turmoil within MSU’s Board of Trustees and leadership, as MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz last month announced he would be leaving MSU for a lower-paying job at Clemson University on Wednesday, May 27.
Batt's move to Kentucky comes after just one year in East Lansing.
"I can't stand what's going on," Izzo said, adding "I've had it."
Batt was born in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia and was part of the 2001 NCAA championship men’s soccer team at UNC, according to a news release.
Michigan State hired Batt away from Georgia Tech in June 2025.
Izzo who is the longtime head coach of the Michigan State Spartans Basketball team, is among the best coaches in the nation.
His resume includes a 2000 NCAA championship, 11 regular-season Big Ten championships, six Big Ten Tournament titles, eight Final Four appearances, eight National Coach of the Year awards and 28 straight NCAA tournament appearances (a record streak for a coach with a single school) in three-plus decades at MSU.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: What did Tom Izzo say about MSU leadership chaos?
Continue reading...
