EAST LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Suzy Merchant has been the head coach for the Michigan State women’s basketball program the past 16 years. That era came to an end on Monday afternoon as Vice President and Director of Athletics Alan Haller came to a mutual agreement with Merchant to part ways effective immediately. Dean Lockwood is the interim head coach until a leader is found for the program.
Merchant says, “”It is with a heavy heart that I announce I am stepping down from Michigan State University due to health reasons. After much consideration and consultation with my healthcare providers, I have come to the difficult decision that it is in my best interest. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the entire Michigan State community, including the administration, faculty, and staff.”
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Merchant won two Big Ten titles in 2011 and 2014 being the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2011. She had a 327-186 record at MSU and is 528-306 overall as a head coach. MSU went to 10 NCAA Tournaments in her tenure which included a Sweet 16 in 2009. In the 16 years she led the program, 53 players earned All-Big Ten awards as 76 were named Academic All-Big Ten. She had one Big Ten Player of the Year in Kalisha Keane (2010-11) as both Lykendra Johnson (2011) and Allyssa DeHaan (2010) were the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. She also coached three WNBA first-round draft pics in Aerial Powers (2016), Tori Jankoska (2017), and Nia Clouden (2022).
“We are grateful to Coach Suzy Merchant for her contributions to Michigan State women’s basketball and Spartan Athletics over the last 16 seasons,” Haller said. “We appreciate everything Coach Merchant has meant to our community. Her two Big Ten titles and 10 NCAA Tournament appearances provided lasting memories. Beyond the team’s on-court success, she invested considerable time and energy into our local community as a leader and a role model for young people.”
Merchant finished with, “It has been an incredible journey…Thank you, Spartan Nation.”
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