# Michigan State University athletic department leadership

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/michigan-state-university-athletic-department-leadership
> Updated: 2026-09-08T14:03:24.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

Michigan State University has undergone several leadership transitions within its athletic department. In August 2026, the university hired Dan Bartholomae as the new athletic director. Bartholomae, formerly of Western Michigan University, was selected to succeed J Batt and was scheduled to begin his role on August 31.

By September 2026, additional staffing changes were announced. Jon Palumbo, the CEO of Spartan Ventures and former interim athletic director, departed for the University of Kentucky. Eric Reinke was named interim CEO of Spartan Ventures, while Bartholomae and deputy AD Jen Smith assumed some of Palumbo’s former responsibilities. Additionally, the baseball program appointed Daniel Schlereth as the director of operations, technology, and pitching development.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: Michigan State Athletics announces leadership and coaching changes

Michigan State Athletics announces staff updates, including Jon Palumbo's departure to the University of Kentucky and Daniel Schlereth joining the baseball program.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michigan-state-athletics-announces-leadership-and-coaching-changes

### 2026-08-17: Dan Bartholomae hired as Michigan State athletic director

Michigan State University has appointed Dan Bartholomae, formerly of Western Michigan, as its new athletic director, effective August 31.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michigan-state-hires-dan-bartholomae-as-athletic-director

---
Cite as: Michigan State University athletic department leadership. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/michigan-state-university-athletic-department-leadership