MSU women's basketball head coach Joanne P. McCallie, who signed a new contract with MSU in late March, has left to become the head coach of the Duke women's team, Duke Athletic Director Joe Alleva announced this afternoon.

A press conference is scheduled for Friday to formally introduce her.

"This has been a dream job of mine for years," McCallie said today in a news release.

Rumors of McCallie looking at other coaching jobs heated up toward the end of the season, but they were quieted when she signed the new deal — which would have gone into effect July 1 — that raised her pay to $500,000 annually, with bonuses that could have bumped it up to $643,000 per year.

"The university found out late last night — very late last night," MSU spokesman Terry Denbow said, adding that MSU will start the search for McCallie's replacement "immediately."

In seven seasons as the Spartans' head coach, McCallie compiled a 149-75 record, including 2005 Associated Press National Coach of the Year honors after leading MSU to a national runner-up finish. She has led MSU to the NCAA Tournament the last five seasons.

For more on this story, please see Thursday's edition of The State News.