Mich. State president to resign over remarks in Nassar scandal

DETROIT — Michigan State University interim President John Engler submitted his resignation Wednesday amid public backlash over his comments about women and girls sexually assaulted by now-imprisoned campus sports doctor Larry Nassar.

Engler, who had resisted earlier pressure to resign, announced his plans in an 11-page letter to Dianne Byrum, chairwoman of Michigan State’s Board of Trustees. It makes no mention of recent criticism of his remarks and instead lists what he considers to be his accomplishments in his one year of service, saying the university is a “dramatically better, stronger institution.”

Engler said he was in Texas attending a service for his late fatherin-law. He says his resignation is effective Jan. 23. His reversal tops off a stormy period for the university under Engler and is the second time a Michigan State president left during the Nassar scandal.

The final straw for the university’s board came last week when Engler told The Detroit News that Nassar’s victims had been in the “spotlight” and are “still enjoying that moment at times, you know, the awards and recognition.”

Nassar is now serving decades-long prison sentences for sexually assaulting patients and possessing child pornography.

Engler was hired last February after the resignation of President Lou Anna Simon over the Nassar scandal.