The Michigan Sate football program is in a tough spot, both because of losing head coach Mark Dantonio to retirement, and of course, the recruiting drama that is surrounding them. There are plenty of rumors that hint at the fact that the recruiting issues are why Dantonio retired after getting his $4.3 million bonus in January, but he is gone now, so they must move on. After getting spoiled with their now former head coach's phenomenal success, the overall consensus of his replacement is underwhelming, and rightfully so. The team announced that they have hired Colorado Buffaloes head coach Mel Tucker as their new head man.
Tucker went 5-7 in his lone season with the Buffaloes this past year, which adds to the shock of the announcement thatcame through late Tuesday night. It was confirmed on Wednesday when the team introduced him with a press conference, giving their new coach a six-year contract. The contract is reportedly worth $30 million, as MSU athletic director Bill Beckman cited Tucker's "championship pedigree, NFL experience" as to what drew them to making him their next target for the job. The team originally offered it to Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell, who turned it down earlier this week.
The new MSU head coach does have ties to the program, as he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant with the Spartans in 1997, working under Nick Saban. Tucker resigned as the Buffaloes head coach after just one season, although, he did have the 34th best recruiting class in the nation. The 48-year-old will replace the 63-year-old Dantonio, who spent 13 seasons with Michigan State, had 114 victories with them, including three Big Ten Championships and a 2015 College Football Playoff appearance. Tucker as to take over for the program's winningest coach in its history, during one of the toughest stretches of its history, so, no pressure, right?
Tucker went 5-7 in his lone season with the Buffaloes this past year, which adds to the shock of the announcement thatcame through late Tuesday night. It was confirmed on Wednesday when the team introduced him with a press conference, giving their new coach a six-year contract. The contract is reportedly worth $30 million, as MSU athletic director Bill Beckman cited Tucker's "championship pedigree, NFL experience" as to what drew them to making him their next target for the job. The team originally offered it to Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell, who turned it down earlier this week.
The new MSU head coach does have ties to the program, as he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant with the Spartans in 1997, working under Nick Saban. Tucker resigned as the Buffaloes head coach after just one season, although, he did have the 34th best recruiting class in the nation. The 48-year-old will replace the 63-year-old Dantonio, who spent 13 seasons with Michigan State, had 114 victories with them, including three Big Ten Championships and a 2015 College Football Playoff appearance. Tucker as to take over for the program's winningest coach in its history, during one of the toughest stretches of its history, so, no pressure, right?
