What happened to Suzy Merchant? Health issues and car accident explored as MSU women's coach steps down

Longtime Michigan State Spartans women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant stepped down from her position on Monday. Merchant, who has not coached since late January, cited health concerns over her decision to leave MSU.

According to ESPN, Merchant was involved in a one-car crash following a medical incident in January. She was admitted to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, but was released less than a week later and continued her recovery at home.

"After much consideration and consultation with my healthcare providers, I have come to the difficult decision that it is in my best interest," Merchant said in a statement.

"I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the entire Michigan State community, including the administration, faculty, and staff. I have had the privilege of coaching some of the most talented and dedicated young women in the country."

Six seasons ago, Merchant fainted and collapsed on the court during a game. She was taken to hospital and monitored overnight. She felt similar symptoms in a later road game as well and was once again rushed to hospital. Doctors eventually discovered that she had an abnormality in her heart. She had a procedure in New Jersey in which doctors "stopped her heart".

"They told me they were going to stop my heart for about 5 seconds and that I would be awake for it," she was quoted as saying by USA Today. "That's when reality set in because of the magnitude of it all. Just like they told me it would, when they stopped my heart, it felt like there was an elephant on my chest. I got scared and even though it wasn't like I was dead, I still couldn't wrap my head around it while I thought about my two boys and (my husband) Gary."

Ryan Young of Yahoo! Sports reported that Dean Lockwood will serve as interim head coach while Michigan State looks for a new coach. Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller expressed his gratitude to Suzy Merchant on behalf of the university.

"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 in a statement. "We appreciate everything coach Merchant has meant to our community. Her two Big Ten titles and 10 NCAA tournament appearances provided lasting memories."

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Suzy Merchant's career at MSU

Suzy Merchant (Image via Lansing State Journal)

Suzy Merchant served as Michigan State women's basketball head coach from 2007 to 2023. Merchant compiled an overall record of 311–173, including a 152–102 record in the Big Ten conference.

The 53-year-old helped the Spartans make it to 10 NCAA tournaments and two Big Ten regular season championships. She also won Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2011. MSU reached the Sweet 16 in her second year in charge.

Merchant started her coaching career at Oakland University as an assistant. She left the Golden Grizzlies in 1995 to take her first head coaching job at Saginaw Valley State University.

After three years at Saginaw Valley State, she became the head coach of Eastern Michigan University. She helped Eastern Michigan reach the NCAA tournament in 2004 and coached them until 2007. She also won a gold medal as an assistant at the 2009 World University Games.