The top of the Michigan State University athletic administration has gone through a fairly chaotic last several weeks. Originally, the school was set to lose president Kevin Guskiewicz and athletic director J Batt, who agreed to serve in their positions at Clemson University and the University of Kentucky, respectively. MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz, pictured Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, during the Board of Trustees meeting. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectThen, Guskiewicz had a change of heart and decided to return to MSU. Batt will officially begin his role at UK in late July.That means Spartan Nation is on the hunt for a new athletic director. We have preached for weeks that Michigan State has one clear option for the position: Mark Hollis. It doesn't just need to get done. It needs to get done right now. Jan 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans athletic director Mark Hollis poses for a photo with members of the Izzone prior to a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectMark Hollis Was the Best AD in AmericaHollis was an elite AD at Michigan State from 2008 to 2018. He played a major role in projects such as "The Basketbowl," a basketball game played at Ford Field between Michigan State and Kentucky, and the hiring of Mark Dantonio. He was selected as the 2012 Athletic Director of the Year at the Sports Business Awards and was inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators in 2015. Hollis acted fairly, but held those under him accountable. He was relatable to the fans and those who worked with and around him. But above all, he cares about and loves Michigan State University. Sep 9, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio talks with Michigan State Spartans athletic director Mark Hollis prior to a game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectWhere It All Went WrongThe Michigan State Board of Trustees has been a dumpster fire for years now, and its incompetence cost the university arguably the best AD it has ever had. The Larry Nassar scandal became a pivotal point in Hollis' career. Despite Hollis having absolutely nothing to do with Nassar, not even knowing the guy, once the details of Nassar's actions came out, Hollis somehow fell into the mix.Larry Nassar, USA Gymnastics/Michigan State sex abuse scandal, 2014-18.