Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller says search for new football coach has officially started

East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State is officially looking for a new head football coach. Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller made that clear in a “community letter” addressed to Spartan fans, delivered electronically at 4 p.m. on Monday.

Michigan State’s football team has been under the direction of Harlon Barnett, who served as acting head coach for two games and has been working as interim head coach since former head coach Mel Tucker was fired last week due to allegations of sexual misconduct.

“Regarding the search, we will thoroughly evaluate and do everything required to find the right individual to lead the Spartan football program,” Haller said in the letter. “Throughout the process, I won’t be able to provide many updates. I realize that our community has a tremendous passion for Spartan football and that there’s a great desire for more information about this process. However, privacy is important to attract top-caliber candidates, most of whom are involved in their own current seasons. 

“I expect that you will hear a lot of names and rumors. I expect to speak with many individuals throughout this process. While some are candidates, others will be resources for me as I go about my due diligence to ensure the best hire for Michigan State.”

Haller has served as Vice President/Athletic Director at Michigan State since Sept. 1, 2021. He was involved in the coaching search, along with former athletic director Mark Hollis, which yielded the hiring of Mark Dantonio in 2006, and also assisted former athletic director Bill Beekman in the search which led to Tucker’s hiring. 

Beekman hired an outside search firm to lead the process in filling the void created by Dantonio’s retirement in February of 2020.

“It will be different this time,” Haller told SpartanMag.com on Saturday.

Haller indicated to SpartanMag.com that a search firm will not be utilized in the current search.

Haller led the search in the hirings of hockey coach Adam Nightingale, women’s basketball coach Robyn Fralick, Michigan State volleyball coach Leah Johnson and Michigan State softball coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley.

Now Haller is entering a bellwether moment of his tenure as athletic director at Michigan State with commencement of an official search for a new head football coach.

When Barnett took over as acting head coach in week three, the longtime Michigan State assistant coach and former Michigan State football player stated that it was his dream to become the Spartan head coach. He hoped to win enough games this fall to be considered for the permanent position.

Michigan State is 0-3 since Barnett took over for Tucker, who was suspended without pay on Sept. 10.

“To the members of the football team, thank you for providing a lesson in resiliency,” Haller said in the letter. “In the face of adversity, and with outside distractions circling around, you’ve leaned on each other and your coaches to continue working to get better as a team every day. Your determination and perseverance are an example to Spartans everywhere.

“I’m going to continue to do whatever I can to support you, Coach Barnett, and all the coaches and staff for the rest of the season, and I’m confident our Spartan Community will continue to do the same.”

Haller began the letter by expressing “my deep gratitude to the Spartan Community and the student-athletes in our football program for all your efforts over the last few weeks.

“To our community, I can’t thank you enough for the support you’ve demonstrated for our football team and our athletic department. You’ve shown up to Spartan Stadium in big numbers to back our student-athletes, and that support has been noted.

“Michigan State University is a great institution and Spartan Athletics is an elite department, well-positioned in the Big Ten, the premier conference in college athletics. In a holistic department with successful programs across the board, many of whom are experiencing great success this fall, everyone understands the importance of a strong football program and is committed to doing what they can to assist. 

“Just a few weeks ago, we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the 2013 Big Ten Champions and 2014 Rose Bowl Team. Seeing the familiar faces brought a rush of memories of the accomplishments of that group and the people who made it possible because they were laser-focused on a goal and never stopped working and never stopped believing. Perhaps, most powerfully, that team demonstrated what is possible at Michigan State. That’s my expectation for Spartan Football in the future!”

Michigan State’s football team is 2-3 and is on a bye week. The Spartans will resume play on Oct. 14 at Rutgers.