Tom Izzo agrees J Batt is ‘most important hire’ in Michigan State history

Tom Izzo was asked if J Batt was the most important hire in Michigan State history and the basketball coach agreed with that sentiment. The new athletic director was hired from Georgia Tech, where he served in the same role.

Izzo appreciated his time with other ADs and officials, but really believed Batt was a home run hire for Michigan State. In the new age of college athletics, athletic directors have to be versatile with decisions that do a lot for programs on and off the court.

Batt replaces Alan Haller, who was let go in May. He’s already got a big fan in Izzo, who’s been with the school since 1983.

“That’s no insult to the people that have been here before. It speaks to the landscape of college athletics right now,” Izzo said. “And I would say that’s true, because someday they’re going to hire a new basketball coach, a new football coach, a new volleyball coach. I mean, time goes on, and if you’ve got somebody at the top that understands all that, and that is willing to go out and raise money and do the things that we have to do now, and be a leader in that area. I think it’s going to be very valuable. So that donor, whoever it was, was pretty smart.”

Batt’s background also stems from Alabama, so he’s seen winning cultures. With the House Settlement done and revenue sharing here for college athletics, it’s important for figures like Izzo and Batt to be on the same page.

“I wasn’t looking for just a business guy personally, even though it would have meant more money for my program, if they thought they could do a better job of that,” Izzo said. “I think there has to be a balance. I think we’re past the days of my former football coach becoming the AD,  like what happened in my high school. It happened at the college I was at. I don’t think that’s a clean slate anymore, either. I think someone has both him playing, him being part of big time programs, him being part of Alabama, I mean I’ll admit it. 

“You all know, I love Nick and I think that being in a program that has been the elite, you know, I think seven, eight, six championships in nine years, whatever it was. That’s important. They built a good basketball program there … they’ve got other good programs there.”

Batt has a solid reputation. Heck, Izzo got a glowing review about him from ACC commissioner Jim Phillips.

“And I think the commissioner, Jim Phillips, I have great respect for Jim Phillips. And when he called me and he said, you hit a home run, and that meant something to me,” Izzo said. “All I can go with is the people I communicated with and your own gut check. But I think gut checks are important. And that first night I met him, the first impression was a great impression.”