Jon Palumbo named Michigan State's interim athletic director

Michigan State President Kevin Guskiewicz has named Jon Palumbo the university’s interim athletic director as J Batt prepares to depart for Kentucky.

Palumbo’s appointment is effective immediately. He will continue serving as CEO of Spartan Ventures while taking over leadership of the athletic department on an interim basis.

“Jon has been an integral part of the innovation of MSU Athletics over the past year, and I have every confidence in his ability to maintain its positive trajectory as interim athletic director,” Guskiewicz said in a statement. “This will be a seamless transition for MSU Athletics, and we look forward to a successful start of the upcoming season for our programs and student-athletes.”

“I’m honored to serve the university in this interim role, and I am grateful to President Guskiewicz for placing his trust and belief in me,” Palumbo said. “I look forward to working with our student-athletes, coaches and staff to build on the positive momentum we have established and continue to move MSU Athletics forward.”

Palumbo currently serves as MSU’s executive deputy athletic director and chief operating officer. He oversees several major areas of the department, including finances, event operations, facilities, capital projects and strategic initiatives, while also serving as the primary sport administrator for football.

Following the 2025 football season, Palumbo assisted with the search that led to the hiring of head coach Pat Fitzgerald.

Guskiewicz said Michigan State will evaluate both internal and external candidates as it considers its long-term options for the position.

“This is an exciting time for MSU Athletics, and I am happy to share this news with the Spartan community,” Guskiewicz said. “Over the coming weeks and months, I look forward to evaluating options, both internal and external, for a candidate to permanently fill the AD position.”

Palumbo joined Michigan State in July 2025 after working alongside Batt at Georgia Tech. He served as the Yellow Jackets’ executive deputy athletic director and chief operating officer before being named interim athletic director following Batt’s departure for Michigan State in June 2025.

At Georgia Tech, Palumbo oversaw internal operations and served as administrator for the football program. During his tenure, the Yellow Jackets made consecutive bowl appearances in 2023 and 2024, their first back-to-back bowl trips in a decade. He also helped oversee major facilities projects and initiatives involving event operations and fan engagement.

Before joining Georgia Tech, Palumbo spent four years as athletic director at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The Islanders won a school-record seven Southland Conference championships during the 2021-22 academic year and reached the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in consecutive seasons after Palumbo hired Steve Lutz as head coach.

Palumbo previously spent six years as deputy athletic director at Virginia Commonwealth University and also held positions at Maryland, American University, William & Mary and La Salle.

A former La Salle baseball captain, Palumbo earned a bachelor’s degree in communication in 2001 and an MBA in 2003.