Alan Haller as sports director of Michigan State

The Free Press first reported and the university later confirmed that Haller was relieved of his tasks and ended the term of the 54-year-old Lansing and former Spartan and NFL soccer players after 3½ years.

“I am grateful for Alan’s leadership since I joined the university and appreciate the success that our programs have seen under his leadership,” said President Kevin M. Guskiewicz in a statement. “He is deeply committed to this university and has managed honesty and integrity.”

Haler’s last day will be on May 11th, and Guskiewicz said that the university is planning to start a new sports director in the coming weeks. Jen Smith, deputy sports director of the MSU and senior women’s administrator/compliance, and the basketball coach of the men, Tom Izzo, will in the meantime act as a co-interim sports director, the school said in its publication.

“This is a crucial time for College Athletics, in which innovation, effective communication and commitment to the community are more important than ever,” said Guskiewicz. “Our next sports director will lead one of the country’s famous sports programs, in which 23 Varsity Sports, a passionate fan base, a long heritage of academic and sporting excellence and, above all, an ambitious future.”