Michigan State University President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., today announced that the university will make a change in Spartan Athletics and that Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Alan Haller is leaving MSU.

“I’m grateful for Alan’s leadership since I joined the university and appreciate the success our programs have seen under his leadership,” Guskiewicz said. “He is deeply committed to this university and has led with honesty and integrity.”

Guskiewicz said he will seek a new athletic director who can best navigate the changing landscape of collegiate athletics while working closely with both internal and external stakeholders to move Michigan State forward as a leader among the Power Four institutions.

Haller was appointed vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics in September 2021. During his tenure, Spartan Athletics has seen Big Ten championships for several programs, including men’s basketball, women’s soccer, women’s gymnastics, men’s ice hockey and women’s cross country as well as postseason appearances for several programs. Student achievement also saw success in the classroom over the past several years, with Spartan athletes posting the highest cumulative GPA in athletic department history in 2024 at 3.4324.

Guskiewicz said the university will launch a formal search for a new athletic director in the coming weeks. Jennifer Smith, current deputy athletic director, and Tom Izzo, men’s head basketball coach, will serve as co-interim athletic directors during the search. Haller’s last day with the university will be May 11. 

“This is a pivotal time for college athletics, where innovation, effective communications and community engagement are more important than ever,” Guskiewicz said. “Our next athletic director will lead one of the nation’s more storied athletic programs, home to 23 varsity sports, a passionate fan base, a long legacy of academic and athletic excellence and, most importantly, an ambitious future.” 

Michigan State will use the search firm TurnkeyZRG, and an advisory committee will work alongside Guskiewicz and the firm throughout the process.