At 70, Tom Izzo has already cemented his legacy as one of college basketball’s all-time greats. With 737 career wins, eight Final Four appearances, and 59 NCAA Tournament victories, the Hall of Fame coach has been synonymous with Michigan State basketball since 1995.
Now, Izzo is preparing to embrace a new chapter in his storied career—one that adds to his already remarkable résumé.
For the first time in his illustrious career, Tom Izzo is stepping beyond the sidelines and into administration. The legendary Michigan State coach has been named co-interim athletic director, joining deputy AD Jennifer Smith in overseeing the department following the resignation of Alan Haller, whose final day will be May 11.
This marks a significant new chapter for Izzo, whose leadership and deep connection to Spartan athletics make him a natural fit for the role—albeit a temporary one. Would you like a breakdown of how this move might impact MSU athletics or basketball operations in the short term?
Michigan State University President Kevin M. Guskiewicz acknowledged the transition in leadership with a statement of appreciation for outgoing athletic director Alan Haller:
“I’m grateful for Alan’s leadership since I joined the university and appreciate the success our programs have seen under his leadership,” Guskiewicz wrote. “He is deeply committed to this university and has led with honesty and integrity.”
As Haller prepares to depart on May 11, the university now turns to Tom Izzo and Jennifer Smith to guide the athletic department through this interim period—an unusual but symbolically significant move that highlights both Izzo’s enduring influence and the administration’s desire for stability.
Would you like help drafting a short editorial or social media post about Izzo’s expanded role?
President Kevin M. Guskiewicz emphasized the significance of the moment for Michigan State’s athletic department as it enters a new era of leadership:
“This is a pivotal time for college athletics, where innovation, effective communications and community engagement are more important than ever. 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.”
His remarks underscore the weight of the upcoming AD search and the expectations for MSU’s continued growth both on and off the field. Would you like a summary of potential long-term candidates for the permanent AD role?
Michigan State wrapped up the 2024–25 basketball season with an impressive 30–7 overall record and a 17–3 mark in Big Ten play, reaffirming the program’s elite status. The Spartans came just one win shy of reaching yet another Final Four under Tom Izzo, further cementing his legacy even as he prepares to take on new administrative responsibilities.
During the 2024–25 season, Tom Izzo added another historic milestone to his résumé by surpassing legendary Indiana coach Bob Knight for the most career Big Ten wins—a testament to his enduring success and longevity.
Despite taking on a new role as co-interim athletic director, Izzo remains fully engaged with the basketball program. He’s already been active in the transfer portal, securing commitments from Kalen Glenn (Florida Atlantic) and Trey Fort (Samford), signaling that he’s not stepping back from coaching responsibilities.
It’s shaping up to be a pivotal and high-energy offseason in East Lansing—with Izzo, as always, at the heart of it. Would you like an early evaluation of how Glenn and Fort fit into next year’s rotation?