Batt stated, and repeated, his belief that Michigan State has one of the top-10 athletic departments in the nation. Although the Big Ten is a premier revenue generator, climbing back near the top in football of a now 18-team league that spans coast-to-coast isn’t an easy task.

New athletic director J Batt plans to take a broad overview of Michigan State's sports program when he arrives, but football will be his top priority.

The school’s next athletic director made it clear that the football program must lead the way to make his statement ring true.