The Michigan State athletic department is adding a former member of the football team to its staff.

Ashton Henderson played from 2006-09 under John L. Smith and Mark Dantonio. A defensive back, Henderson finished with 37 total tackles and returned one punt for a touchdown.

On Friday, the Spartans announced Henderson as Michigan State’s new Executive Associate AD for Championship Resources. According to the release, Henderson will oversee student-facing areas associated with health, mental and physical wellness, and student-athlete engagement.

“A former student-athlete himself, Ashton has dedicated his professional life to the development of student-athletes,” said MSU AD Alan Haller. “Not only does he bring tremendous work experience and connections across college athletics, he has a national reputation for being an individual who cares about all aspects of the student-athlete experience. It’s great to be able to bring another Spartan back home to help support and develop our current student-athletes.”

Henderson’s stops along the way back to East Lansing include working with Clemson and Florida State. Most recently, he worked for the Detroit Pistons as the team’s Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

“Michigan State Athletics is one of the premier athletic departments in the country, and I am excited to join forces with my colleagues and sit on the Executive Team to continue to enhance our mission and guiding principles,” said Henderson. “It is a dream come true to join the place that has given me so much over time, and I am elated to serve the student-athletes, coaches, stakeholders, and enhance the athletic department’s ideals with my colleagues. I bleed green through and through, and this one of the most monumental days in my professional career.”