Earlier today, following the the fallout from the Larry Nassar verdict earlier this week, a report surfaced that Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis was expected to resign from his post.
The news was first reported by Chris Solari.
Taking the podium moments ago, Hollis attempted to clear the air by formally announcing his retirement - not resignation- and also offered the following:
Earlier this week, Nassar - a former USA Gymnastics doctor that was also employed by Michigan State, was sentenced to between 40-175 years in prison for sexually abusing over 150 women and young girls, including over a dozen former Spartan athletes, that came to him for care.
President Lou Anna Simon was forced to tender her resignation recently in the wake of the scandal.
Tuesday, the NCAA issued a letter of inquiry to Michigan State, and Hollis publicly stated that they would cooperate with the investigation.
In a statement Wednesday, Hollis offered the following (via Land of 10):
“Since my first day on the job as athletic director, my focus has always been on the student-athlete. They are at the core of our athletic department mission statement. Our first priority has always been and will always be their health and safety. In regards to the letter we received from the NCAA last night, the athletic compliance and university general counsel offices are preparing a comprehensive response. Michigan State University will cooperate with any investigation.”
The Nassar scandal is the second major story that has rocked the East Lansing campus in the past 24 months, as the football program underwent a sexual assault case involving a few players not long ago.
Hollis was widely respected and considered one of the best athletic directors in the country by his peers, and many once thought he'd be a great successor to Jim Delany as the Big Ten commissioner.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.