LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State named football alumnus and deputy athletic director Alan Haller as its 20th athletic director on Wednesday.

Haller served as deputy athletic director since 2019, having been with the athletic department since 2010. He was a lieutenant for the university police department for 13 years. Haller played cornerback for the Spartans under coach George Perles from 1988-91 before playing for multiple NFL teams from 1992-95.

“I’m very excited for this huge opportunity,” Haller said in a news release. “Coming from an athletic background and being a Spartan alumnus on the football team, MSU Athletics is just in my blood.”

He will replace Bill Beekman, who resigned.

Beekman, who was an internal candidate with no athletic background, was named athletic director in 2018 taking over for Mark Hollis who stepped down from the position.