Jon Palumbo - Staff Directory - Michigan State University Athletics

Staff Directory

Jon Palumbo

Title:
Executive Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Operating Officer
Email:
Phone:
355-1623

With a focus on innovative excellence in the new era of college athletics, Jon Palumbo was appointed executive deputy athletics director and chief operating officer by Michigan State University Vice President and Director of Athletics J Batt on July 7, 2025.

Palumbo came to Michigan State from Georgia Tech, where he worked closely with Batt to elevate Georgia Tech Athletics through the implementation of several strategic initiatives and key coaching hires. He joined the department in November of 2022 as executive deputy athletics director and chief operating officer. When Batt's hiring was announced at Michigan State in June 2025, Palumbo was appointed vice president and interim director of athletics at Georgia Tech. Palumbo officially joined the Spartans in late July.

"We are thrilled to have someone with Jon's experience and knowledge join our leadership team at Michigan State, and I know he will have an immediate impact on our department," said Batt. "Having previously served as an athletics director and in several senior administrative roles, Jon understands the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, and he will be invaluable in advancing our strategic priorities. On behalf of MSU Athletics, I want to welcome Jon and his wife, Rachel, to the Spartan Family."

Palumbo will operate as the primary sport administrator for the football program, while providing leadership throughout the department, overseeing several units, including, finance and budget, event operations, facilities, capital projects, strategic initiatives, and equipment.

"I am incredibly humbled and excited to join the team at Michigan State," said Palumbo. "I want to thank J Batt for the opportunity to join this outstanding university and do my part to elevate the athletics department to record heights. J's leadership and his alignment with university leaders will allow MSU Athletics to flourish in the years ahead. I look forward to working with J, his administrative team, the student-athletes, coaches, and the entire Spartan Family to drive MSU Athletics forward."

At Georgia Tech, Palumbo oversees all internal operations as well as the Yellow Jacket football program. He played an integral role in the recent ascension of the Tech football program, including earning back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time in a decade in 2023 and 2024. Palumbo also led the planning and execution for major capital projects, including the Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center – a 100,000-square-foot facility slated to house leading-edge resources in training, nutrition, sports medicine, sports science, and analytics.

Additionally, Palumbo oversaw event operations and fan engagement strategies, including the successful launch of the Helluva Block Party, creating a signature gameday tradition for Georgia Tech football. He also played a critical role in several key coaching hires, including football (Brent Key), men's basketball (Damon Stoudamire) and women's basketball (Karen Blair).

Prior to his arrival in Atlanta, Palumbo held the position of director of athletics at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. He led Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to unprecedented success during his four years as AD (2018-22), including perhaps the most successful year in school history in 2021-22, which included a school-record seven Southland Conference championships, claiming the Southland Conference's women's all-sports championship for the first time in school history, and earning the Southland Conference's Academic Performance Award for the first time in school history. Palumbo hired Steve Lutz as the Islanders' head men's basketball coach in 2021 and saw him lead the program to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 15 years in Lutz's first season at the helm in 2022, followed by a return trip in 2023 and the Islanders' first ever NCAA tournament win.

Other achievements during Palumbo's four years at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi included the first women's basketball conference championship in program history in 2020, a 17% increase in men's basketball attendance prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Islanders' student-athletes earning a 3.0-plus grade point average in every semester of his tenure and the completion of an ambitious five-year strategic plan to serve as the blueprint for future success, "Making Waves."

Previously, Palumbo served as deputy athletics director at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) from 2012-18, where he supervised the day-to-day operations of the athletics department and served as the administrator of the Rams' flagship men's basketball program. VCU made five-straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2013-17 and sold out every home game during Palumbo's six-year stint in Richmond. He also implemented budget management controls that resulted in five-straight years of surpluses, which were then reinvested in capital projects, including the construction of a $25 million basketball practice facility, a project that Palumbo was involved with throughout construction.

Palumbo's professional experience also includes stints at the University of Maryland (associate AD – 2008-12), American University (associate AD – 2006-08), The College of William & Mary (business manager – 2003-06) and LaSalle University (graduate assistant – 2001-03).

Palumbo played baseball at LaSalle, where he was named a team captain and a member of the Athletics Relations Council. He graduated with honors in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in communication and earned an MBA from LaSalle in 2003.

Palumbo and his wife, Rachel, have two Australian shepherds, Camden and Dan.