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Michigan State football signees in transition as Mel Tucker hustles in recruiting race

Mel Tucker spent 2019 as head coach at Colorado, where he went 5-7, after three seasons as Georgia defensive coordinator. Detroit Free Press

Mark Dantonio’s sudden retirement left Jordon Simmons in limbo.

The announcement Feb. 4 that he was done after 13 seasons at Michigan State came hours before signing day, when Simmons was expected to sign his letter of intent.

Instead, the 2020 running back recruit from Marietta, Georgia, decided to wait until the Spartans hired a new football coach.

It turned out to be a familiar name with ties to his family: Mel Tucker.