The Michigan State Spartans have made a huge move before heading into the off-season of the summer months at the university. The university has decided to part ways with athletic director Alan Haller after just three years with the Spartans.
Haller was hired in September of 2021 and has made many changes to the Michigan State athletic department, especially in the new world of NIL. The university will immediately begin its search for a new athletic director with more emphasis on fundraising and NIL. For the time being, deputy athletic director and senior women's administrator/compliance Jen Smith will take over as the interim athletic director alongside men's head basketball coach Tom Izzo.
Michigan State is a big brand that just wasn't selling under Alan Haller
Michigan State is in the Big Ten, one of the largest conferences in college sports and one of the most wealthy in in college sports, yet it just doesn't seem like the Spartans could get any traction in the NIL game. Other than the men's basketball team, the Spartans have not been incredibly competitive within the Big Ten or college athletics.
One of the biggest moves Haller made in his three years with the Spartans was firing former football coach Mel Tucker in 2023 after sexual misconduct accusations and bringing in Jonathon Smith, who went 5-7 in his first season at Michigan State.
Haller's contract was set to expire on September 1, 2026, but clearly the university didn't feel the athletic department could wait that long, so they chose to part ways instead. According to the Detroit Free Press, both sides are in negotiations over Haller's buyout.
Haller's final day at Michigan State will be May 11.