CONFIRMED: Bill Beekman To Be Named MSU AD.

Earlier this year Spartan Nation reported that Michigan State University “Ideally” wanted to wait until a new President was named, in order to pick their next Athletic Director. Spartan Nation was told that by two members of the MSU Board of Trustees from two different political parties. One told us at the time, "Why would we pick an AD before a President?"
Last January 26, Mark Hollis unexpectedly resigned as the AD and Bill Beekman was named the “Interim” AD. MSU interim President John Engler said on February 5, that "A nationwide search will begin shortly for a permanent athletic director and that no internal candidates will be considered in the search process."
Engler and the Board have switched gears.
Early last month Spartan Nation had learned from two sources within the athletic department that Beekman had strong support from trustee Joel Ferguson, but we learned last Wednesday that more importantly, he had the “Full and Complete” support of Tom Izzo and Mark Dantonio. Both athletic department sources informed Spartan Nation that they learned of Beekman’s promotion from interim on Friday.
The Detroit Free Press to their credit was the first to report that Beekman will get the job and be named on Monday. Over the weekend, Spartan Nation has spoken to two members of the BOT who informed us that they were not 100% sure that the announcement would be made Monday, but that, “It is going to happen early next week, if not Monday.”
When I asked both about the timeline I was told by the Democrat, “The Board picks the Head Football Coach, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Athletic Director, and President. There was no need to wait considering the two foundation stones of our athletic program (Dantonio and Izzo) wanted him to have the job.”
The Republican echoed the same sentiments, “Who are we kidding? If your Hall of Fame basketball coach (Tom Izzo) and arguably your best football coach ever (Mark Dantonio) want a guy, you don’t need any other references.”
Beekman started working at MSU in 1995. He has had multiple jobs including interim President when Lou Anna K. Simon left.
Want the latest breaking MSU news delivered straight to your email for FREE? Sign up for the DAILY Spartan Nation newsletterWHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE!Don’t miss any of the latest up to the second updates on Michigan State Sports when you follow on Twitter @HondoCarpenter