Due to health reasons, Suzy Merchant has resigned as the head coach of the Michigan State women’s basketball team.
After being involved in a one-car accident during a medical emergency in late January, 53-year-old Merchant had not coached the Spartans. She fainted and fell on the ground during a game six seasons ago, and doctors later found she had a cardiac condition.
Merchant stated at the beginning of February that she was concentrating on her health and well-being. Nonetheless, the school made her departure from the school office on Monday.
In a statement, Merchant stated, “It is with a heavy heart that I announce I am stepping down from Michigan State University due to health considerations. “I’ve decided it’s in my best interests after giving it much thought and speaking with my medical professionals. I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at Michigan State, particularly the leadership, faculty, and staff.”
Following stints as the head coach at Eastern Michigan and Saginaw Valley University in her native Michigan, Merchant took over the program in 2007.
At Michigan State, she had a final record of 327-186; her career college coaching record is 528-306. As the Big Ten’s coach of the year in 2011, Merchant guided the Spartans to ten appearances in the NCAA tournament and two Big Ten championships in 2011 and 2014. (co-champs).
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Athletic director Alan Haller remarked, “We appreciate Coach Suzy Merchant’s efforts to Michigan State women’s basketball and Spartan Athletics over the previous 16 seasons. “We value all that Coach Merchant has contributed to our neighborhood. Her two Big Ten championships and ten NCAA tournament participation left enduring impressions. Beyond the team’s success on the court, she put a lot of time and effort into our neighborhood as a leader and role model for children.”
While the school continues its search for a new program director, associate head coach Dean Lockwood, who filled in for Merchant this season, will oversee the team in an interim capacity. The Spartans ended the 2022–23 campaign with an overall record of 16–14 and a conference record of 7–10.
The merchant was paid a $700,000 basic salary under a five-year rollover deal.
In her statement, Merchant added, “I have had the honor of teaching some of the country’s most talented and devoted young women. “It has been an honor of a lifetime to have the opportunity to mentor, lead, and inspire young women.”
Aerial Powers, Tori Jankoska, and Nia Clouden, all first-round WNBA draft picks, were among the top athletes to play for Merchant at Michigan State. With Lindsay Whalen’s resignation from Minnesota on March 2, the coaching position at Michigan State is the second available position in the Big Ten.
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