Michigan State women’s basketball coach Suzy Merchant was involved in a “minor one-car accident due to a medical incident” Saturday morning and will miss Sunday’s game versus Illinois, the team announced.
The 53-year-old is in stable condition and undergoing testing at a local hospital, according to the team. Associate head coach Dean Lockwood will serve as interim head coach for Sunday’s game in Champaign, Ill.
Merchant has helmed the Spartans women’s team since 2007, joining the program after a nine-year stint previously as head coach at Eastern Michigan. She has led Michigan State to two Big Ten regular-season titles and 10 NCAA Tournament appearances during her 15-year tenure. Last October, Merchant signed a contract extension through 2027.
The Spartans are 11-9 this season with a 3-6 mark in conference play.
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