Michigan State’s Alan Haller to Step Down as Izzo and Smith Take the Helm Amid Transition

Michigan State has announced a change at the top of their athletic department as Men’s head basketball coach Tom Izzo will help lead the charge. 

On May 11, Alan Haller will close the chapter on his tenure as Michigan State’s athletic director—a role he embraced in the fall of 2021 with both optimism and resolve. Over the next ten days, campus corridors and Spartan Stadium concourses alike will whisper of Haller’s impact: a steady hand in turbulent times, a leader whose integrity carried programs through upheaval and uncertainty.

Leadership in the Eye of the Storm

Haller arrived amid the fallout of Mel Tucker’s dismissal, charged with restoring trust to a program shaken by scandal. In his first major hire, he tapped Jonathan Smith from Oregon State to guide the Spartans’ football revival—a signal that Haller believed in second chances and fresh starts. Yet, as Michigan State navigates an NCAA inquiry into alleged infractions under Tucker’s watch, Haller’s final act includes steering the university through an investigation that demands transparency and cooperation.

Tom Izzo has been named one of Michigan State’s interim Athletic Directors following Alan Haller’s departure, per @ESPNRittenberg. pic.twitter.com/fDFgS840Vs

— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) May 1, 2025

To bridge the gap between today’s departure and tomorrow’s new direction, head men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo will share interim athletic director duties with deputy AD Jennifer Smith. It’s a partnership built on respect: Izzo, a Spartan legend responsible for eight Final Four berths and a 30-7 record this past season, and Smith, the program’s organizational backbone. Together, they’ll guard one of college athletics’ most storied portfolios—23 varsity teams, roars of a loyal fan base, and a legacy of excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

Reflections from the Top

“Alan led with honesty and integrity,” Michigan State President Kevin Guskiewicz reflected in his announcement. “Our programs have thrived under his guidance, and for that, I am grateful.” Guskiewicz himself inherited the presidency mere months after Tucker’s firing, thrust into a landscape that demanded decisive action and clear communication. In Haller, he found a collaborator whose steady cadence balanced ability with comion.

News: Alan Haller is out as Michigan State’s athletic director.

Haller’s last day is May 11. Tom Izzo and deputy AD Jennifer Smith will serve as co-interim ADs during the search. pic.twitter.com/1YbYoWGLcc

— Stephen Brooks (@StephenM_Brooks) May 1, 2025

As East Lansing looks ahead, the question isn’t just who comes next but how the Spartans will evolve. “This is a pivotal time for college athletics,” Guskiewicz added, noting that innovation, community engagement, and effective communications are no longer optional—they are essential. Michigan State’s next athletic director must honor traditions forged under coaches like Izzo while charting fresh paths, addressing compliance head-on and seizing opportunities presented by NIL and evolving conference dynamics.

Enduring Spartan Spirit

Throughout every twist—personnel upheavals, national investigations, championship runs—the heartbeat of Spartans athletics has remained constant: resilience. From Haller’s first press conference to his final days, he has leaned into that spirit, rallying staff, coaches, and fans around a shared vision. Now, as the baton es to Izzo and Smith, the promise is that the Spartan ship, while navigating uncharted waters, will continue its course toward competitive excellence and institutional integrity.

In the coming weeks, as East Lansing bids farewell to its athletic director, it will also welcome fresh leadership rooted in the lessons of the past and the promise of tomorrow—a testament to a program that, even in transition, stands unwaveringly Spartan.