Michigan State Hires Western Michigan AD Dan Bartholomae

The university tapped a proven fundraiser and facilities leader to stabilize Spartan Athletics and shore up revenue before the football season.

Overview

Michigan State announced the hire on Monday, Aug. 17, and said Bartholomae will start on Aug. 31 with the Board of Trustees set to vote on his contract on Sept. 11.
MSU is expected to pay Western Michigan up to $5.1 million as a buyout to secure Bartholomae before finalizing salary terms.
Bartholomae led Western Michigan since 2022 where his teams won 37 conference titles and the 2025 men’s hockey national championship while annual giving climbed sharply.
He is being hired for his fundraising and facilities track record, including work that helped advance a $515 million downtown arena at WMU, to help fund MSU’s approved $500 million stadium renovation and reduce department deficits.
Bartholomae inherits interim AD Jon Palumbo, first-year football coach Pat Fitzgerald, and large debt pressures, so early priorities include aligning donors, trustees and the coaching staff and generating season-ready revenue.