3 Potential Replacements for Mark Dantonio at Michigan State
By Mark Powell
With a possible scandal looming, Mark Dantonio has retired as Michigan State head coach, reportedly taking a role in the athletic department in the process. Dantonio shaped the Spartans football program in his image, and his replacement should have those same traits to further the rebuild. Just a decade ago these caliber of candidates wouldn't have even considered heading to East Lansing, which speaks volumes to the work Dantonio did at MSU, albeit mired in scandal.
3. Pat Narduzzi
Pat Narduzzi landed the Pitt gig thanks to his work under Dantonio as Michigan State DC, where he helped build the Spartans into a defensive powerhouse. Specifically in the defensive backfield, Narduzzi's work was noticed around the college football landscape. If he wants the job, it's his.
2. Mike Tressel
Michigan State trusts Mike Tressel to take the reigns right now, and hang on to the remains of their 2020 recruiting class. That's a lot of responsibility right away, and should Tressel prove capable, the head coaching job could be his if some high-profile candidates turn the Spartans down.
1. Luke Fickell
Fickell is the most popular candidate and for good reason. He led Ohio State in the midst of the Jim Tressel scandal, only to parlay his DC role into a head coaching gig at Cincinnati, where the Bearcats are a perennial Group-of-5 candidate. His ties to the midwest make Fickell the most popular option among fans, and rightly so.