At 4-4, MSU Does Show Signs of Progress

As this 2009 season marches on, Coach Dantonio continues to move the program forward. At 4-4, many will chide his Spartans for their late game losses. It is

As this 2009 season marches on, Coach Dantonio continues to move the program forward. At 4-4, many will chide his Spartans for their late game losses. It is hard not to be disappointed, but some incredible things are happening for this MSU team.

 

With every win or close loss, Coach Dantonio shows the emotion, resilience and rock solid character that is needed to bring about the cultural change Spartan fans have longed for. I see players that play their guts out. I see coaches that care for their players as though they were their own family. I see the emotion and the toughness displayed each and every time they take the field.

 

We had glimpses of hope with previous coaching regimes, but we never had a man at the helm with Dantonio’s commitment to do things the right way. Coach Perles did a lot for MSU, but he also held our program hostage with years of political haggling behind scenes. Nick’s ego was always going to be an issue. Sure he could win, but he wasn’t committed to the long-term process needed to turn years of bad culture around.

 

I have often analyzed the college football culture in both Michigan and throughout the country. I see how ridiculous the pressure has become. I see how entitled fans spoil a great game. I also see how much a football team can do for the people of Michigan and the fans who follow the Spartans.

 

When I look at MSU, it is hard not to feel sorry for the kids and our fan-base. My brother commented on how tired he has become looking forward to next season. I guess I am just happy to be represented by a team that puts forth maximal effort and is being lead by a coach that is committed to building the program the right way. You may ask, what do you mean by building the program the right way?

 

For starters, I don’t see this coaching staff taking many chances on substandard characters. There is a commitment to recruiting close to home so that MSU players have ownership in the program and that family is a priority. I see that situations that involve player missteps are handled appropriately. I see that our players handle themselves with class after wins and losses. I see player development happening at an appropriate pace to have solid leadership for seasons to come. I see continuity among staff members that have a vested interest in each other and it shows on Saturday afternoons.

 

Buckeye fans will pout like little children about being out of the national championship race. Michigan fans will continue to believe their team is superior. The analysts will all talk about the dominance of the SEC. This Spartan fan will talk about the future of MSU football and how our years to come will be some of the best in the program’s history.

 

It’s funny; I grew up hating the Wolverines. I absolutely loathed their fan-base. As time has gone on, I have learned to appreciate the brand of football Bo, Mo and Lloyd built in Ann Arbor. If you put your biased views aside, it is easy to see that those guys did things the right way. In fact, our coach seems to be building his program very much in the mold that Schembechler built the Wolverines. 

 

Bo’s teams were tough. They played ball control and stopped the run. They had high character kids from both Michigan and Ohio. They had consistency within the coaching staff. They made Wolverine football a staple using the same methods that our coaches are using right now.

 

I think the roles in the state of Michigan have largely reversed. MSU was always looking for a coach to fix the latest rash of problems. We always had some infighting among our administration. We had embarrassment after embarrassment with both players and coaches. We even tried to run a program with a “no-ties” out of state cowboy that had to rely on talent outside the region. We ran a “gimmick” offense that featured a running QB that couldn’t remain healthy through an entire season. Does this sound like MSU today? How about our big sisters in Ann Arbor? 

 

I for one am happy that we ‘dot the i’ and try to win games in the trenches.  There is a reason NFL teams play vertical passing offenses with a power running game. This is how the good teams stay healthy and win.

 

The Iowa / MSU game was one for the ages. It was one of the most well played games by either team in more than twenty years. As an MSU fan, my heart may be a bit heavy right now. It is hard to say whether it is due to the pride I have for our team or ache I still feel over Saturday. Regardless, we must support this team as it learns and grows throughout the remainder of the season.