Former MSU AD to potentially be in the mix for Detroit Lions opening

A former Michigan State administrator has found his name circling back in the sports media world. Mark Hollis has been identified as a potential leading candidate for the open vacancy as the Detroit Lions next president, according to Tony Paul of the Detroit News.

Paul noted that Hollis has had a, "good second act as Dan Gilbert’s right-hand man with Rocket and he knows the Hamps." Also citing that the former Spartan athletic director was on the search committee that hired Dan Campbell. Hollis succeeded Ron Mason as the Spartans athletic director in 2008, before retiring in 2018.

The #Lions search for a new president will be national, but don’t be surprised if it starts in the backyard. Ex-MSU AD Mark Hollis has had a good second act as Dan Gilbert’s right-hand man with Rocket and he knows the Hamps. He was on the search committee that hired Dan Campbell.

— Tony Paul | Detroit News (@TonyPaul1984) February 18, 2026 Contact/Follow us @ The SpartansWire  on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on  Facebook  to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion.

You can also follow Cory Linsner on X  @Rex_Linzy This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Former MSU AD to potentially be in the mix for Detroit Lions opening According to one prominent media member in Detroit, the Lions could identify a former Michigan State AD for their vacant president role.

According to one prominent media member in Detroit, the Lions could identify a former Michigan State AD for their vacant president role.