The coaching search has not gone the way Michigan State would have hoped to this point. Getting turned away by Luke Fickell after Robert Saleh, Mel Tucker and Pat Narduzzi took their names out of the race was a gut-punch, but the search must go on as Bill Beekman is tasked with finding Mark Dantonio’s replacement.
And it can’t just be any replacement or the program will be set back about 15 years to the John L. Smith era. It must be the right candidate.
Many are worried that the athletic department will promote within and that would likely mean Mike Tressel would get promoted from defensive coordinator on an interim basis for at least the 2020 season but there’s some rumblings around the fan base and with former players about the possibility of bringing back a familiar face.