new AD?

[bthaunert]

Are you looking forward to him hiring Pope's replacement?

If Pope has a mediocre season again this year, 100%. Hopefully Pope succeeds and we aren't having the conversation.

[Helix]

It appears Izzo is unhappy with his leaving for UK. He evidently is a fan of the guy.

Saw that video interview, he’s really unhappy. Read somewhere that two or three MSU school trustees are responsible for the chaos, which may explain why the president and AD, who were apparently viewed as real gets when they were hired, left to go elsewhere in short order.

[Trueblujr]

J Batt seems, in interviews, to actually be willing, and actually excited to meet the regular UK fans. Thinks that really important, said so multi time during Matt Jones intetview. Seems like a very well rounded person, with common sense and educated. The other thing that stood out, he wants to be here a while. Stated that his sons age 9 & 11 will be educated and graduate in Lexington. Lastly, him want to associate with the avetage fan is totally different than past AD.

I've always thought a good AD should do a couple of things that I'd like to see this AD do. For one or two games a season, him and a couple of his staff should wander around to the tailgates on a football game day mingling and talking to the common fans. And I mean the orange lots and purple lots, not the lots where the money is. Come by our tailgate and those around us, guage our feelings on the state of things. Another thing that would be good would be to have an annual Town Hall meeting with the fans. They could hold it in Nutter or in Memorial Coliseum. really make an effort to show that us fans who can't be big donors, but still buy tickets and show up for the games are being heard and have some say as well.

[Trueblujr]

Saw that video interview, he’s really unhappy. Read somewhere that two or three MSU school trustees are responsible for the chaos, which may explain why the president and AD, who were apparently viewed as real gets when they were hired, left to go elsewhere in short order.

They should make Izzo the AD up there. let him pull double duty or maybe this move will spur on a retirement after this season.

[bthaunert]

I've always thought a good AD should do a couple of things that I'd like to see this AD do. For one or two games a season, him and a couple of his staff should wander around to the tailgates on a football game day mingling and talking to the common fans. And I mean the orange lots and purple lots, not the lots where the money is. Come by our tailgate and those around us, guage our feelings on the state of things. Another thing that would be good would be to have an annual Town Hall meeting with the fans. They could hold it in Nutter or in Memorial Coliseum. really make an effort to show that us fans who can't be big donors, but still buy tickets and show up for the games are being heard and have some say as well.

I don't know if he still does it, but Rob Mullens at Oregon did this when I would go to Oregon games regularly. You would see him walking around and talking to those in the surface lots tailgating. Always thought it was great.

[TrueblueCATfan]

It appears Izzo is unhappy with his leaving for UK. He evidently is a fan of the guy.

apparently he is but J was only at Michigan State for 1 year

[UKHoops01]

Question: "J" is short for Jason. Or is it Jayson? I'm thinking Jason, since Jay is short for Jayson, and he just goes by J.

Opinion: Looks like a solid hire....the only thing I'm not crazy about is that he's a UNC (North Carolina) alum. I know, I know..... I'm sure he's a "professional" and those things won't (or shouldn't) matter, but if I'm totally being honest, it does raise an eyebrow (or two).

[Matt Dillon]

Question: "J" is short for Jason. Or is it Jayson? I'm thinking Jason, since Jay is short for Jayson, and he just goes by J.

Opinion: Looks like a solid hire....the only thing I'm not crazy about is that he's a UNC (North Carolina) alum. I know, I know..... I'm sure he's a "professional" and those things won't (or shouldn't) matter, but if I'm totally being honest, it does raise an eyebrow (or two).

The fact that he's a UNC alum doesn't bother me at all. I'd say if you checked the history of UK athletics a very small per centage of A.D.'s, coaches etc. were UK alums.

[WeWant9]

Question: "J" is short for Jason. Or is it Jayson? I'm thinking Jason, since Jay is short for Jayson, and he just goes by J.

Opinion: Looks like a solid hire....the only thing I'm not crazy about is that he's a UNC (North Carolina) alum. I know, I know..... I'm sure he's a "professional" and those things won't (or shouldn't) matter, but if I'm totally being honest, it does raise an eyebrow (or two).

If I am being honest, I had the same initial thought on a unc guy. But I have also told myself that that type of stuff really means more to fans- talking rivals. It doesn't seem like the majority of players, coaches, admins are into it; they care more about $$$. We recently hired a football coach who played at ul, just different times.

[UKHoops01]

The fact that he's a UNC alum doesn't bother me at all. I'd say if you checked the history of UK athletics a very small per centage of A.D.'s, coaches etc. were UK alums.

They don't have to be a UK alum and I wouldn't even expect them to be....but there are a handful of programs (with UNC definitely being one of them) that raises an eyebrow or two for me. Duke and Louisville would be a couple more. Coming from Michigan State doesn't raise the same red flags that graduating from UNC does. I'm sure he'll be a professional because his livelihood (i.e. income) depends on the job he does, but I did find it interesting. Reminds me of the orthopedic surgeon that scoped my knee years ago... when I went to his office to discuss the procedure I saw the Duke University plaque on his wall and I couldn't help but ask how a Duke graduate wound up in Kentucky (LOL). He did a great job on my knee and I'm sure Batt will do the same.

[Matt Dillon]

If I am being honest, I had the same initial thought on a unc guy. But I have also told myself that that type of stuff really means more to fans- talking rivals. It doesn't seem like the majority of players, coaches, admins are into it; they care more about $$$. We recently hired a football coach who played at ul, just different times.

I think you hit the nail on the head about the rivalry stuff being mostly a fan thing.