Kentucky is targeting Michigan State athletic director J Batt for its vacant AD position, according to a report.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel shared that news on Saturday evening, noting that a deal isn’t finalized but that UK is making a “strong push” to hire Batt away from Michigan State.
Sources: Michigan State AD J Batt has emerged as the target of Kentucky’s Athletic Director search. The deal is not finalized, but Kentucky is amid a strong push to bring Batt back to the SEC. pic.twitter.com/7AOTbNr7To
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 13, 2026Batt has deep ties to the region and has worked in the SEC before. A North Carolina alum, Batt was previously a deputy athletic director at Alabama under Greg Byrne before getting the head AD job at Georgia Tech in 2022.
Like our coverage? Make SDS a preferred source in your searches!
Batt left Georgia Tech for Michigan State in 2025 and was credited with hiring Pat Fitzgerald to replace Jonathan Smith at the end of the 2025 season.
However, Michigan State’s hierarchy has been unsettled in recent months. Michigan State president Kevin Guskiewicz, who hired Batt away from Georgia Tech, left for the same role at Clemson earlier this year. Guskiewicz’s exit may have played a role in Batt’s decision to look for a new destination.
If Kentucky does hire Batt, he would replace longtime AD Mitch Barnhart, who announced his pending retirement earlier this year. Barnhart has has served as Kentucky’s AD since 2002.
Interested in learning more about sports prediction markets? Here’s a Novig promo code to help you get started with one of the best options available in 2026!
Kentucky is closing in on next athletic director, per report Saturday Down South.
Hence then, the article about kentucky is closing in on next athletic director per report was published today ( ) and is available on SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Kentucky is closing in on next athletic director, per report )
Also on site :
- Pop Star Makes Streaming History with Record-Breaking Third Album Just One Day After Release
- UK and Japan poised to seal landmark £18 billion investment deal to create thousands of jobs
- Marler Clark Urges Parents to Stop Using Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula Amid Multistate Infant Botulism Outbreak -- Product Sold Nationwide at Target