Alan Haller Named Associate Athletics Director for Administration
6/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | General
June 18, 2010
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State Athletics Director Mark Hollis has announced the hiring of Alan Haller as Associate Athletics Director for Administration. Haller, a former Spartan defensive back and NFL veteran, was a 1st Lt. for the MSU Police Department and served on the force for 13 years. He will be the human resource officer for the MSU Athletics Department and will also be the student-athlete ombudsman.
"Alan will provide a key role in the development of our department's future," said Hollis. "He will guide what is arguably our most important resource - our people. His background as a former Spartan student-athlete, NFL football player, and 1st Lt. on the MSU Police force provides our department with a unique blend of talents and strength. I am excited about his engagement with all aspects of our department as a leader, administrator, and Spartan."
"I'm very excited for this huge opportunity," said Haller. "Coming from an athletic background and being a Spartan alumnus on the football team, MSU Athletics is just in my blood. It's something I've always kept in touch with. Fortunately, my police responsibilities allowed me to work very closely with the athletics department; I was a liaison between the two departments, which granted me an inside view of the athletics side.
"I can't wait to starting working with the student-athletes. Even though I'm a little older, I still know what it feels like to be an MSU student-athlete and what they're going through. I think I'll be able to provide a professional perspective will still being able to relate with them.
"I'm very appreciative of all the opportunities that Jim Dunlap gave me at the MSU Police Department and will miss working with all of my friends that I made over the years."
A four-year letterman as a cornerback for Coach George Perles from 1988-91, Haller earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors as both a junior and senior. His career totals include 199 tackles, eight pass break-ups and three interceptions. He made three postseason bowl appearances with the Spartans (1989 Gator, 1989 Aloha and 1990 John Hancock).
The former Lansing (Mich.) Sexton star was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 1992 National Football League Draft. Haller spent three seasons in the NFL, playing for Cleveland (1992), Pittsburgh (1992-93) and Carolina (1995).
While serving as a 1st Lt. for the MSU Police Department, Haller was in charge of the Uniform Division, which is the largest component of the department.
During the football coaching search in 2006, Haller played a key role in the hiring process of Mark Dantonio, joining former MSU Athletics Ron Mason, head men's basketball coach Tom Izzo, and Hollis on the selection team.
"When I was on the search committee, I worked very closely with Mark Hollis," said Haller. "I took a lot of notes, just in terms of preparation, organization and structure, and learned a lot about his thought process and how thorough he was. I was very impressed.
"Having the opportunity to travel with the football team under Coach Mark Dantonio, I got to see the behind the scenes aspects of the program. I like how he's developing people and teaching them life skills, and how he talks to the student-athletes and how they respect him. It's just the little things I've noticed when I've been around the team. I loved playing for Coach Perles, but I could have played for Coach Dantonio."
Haller hold a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Michigan State and a master's degree in human resources from Central Michigan.