Mark Dantonio Finalizes Football Coaching Staff Spartan head coach fills final two positions with Pat Narduzzi and Dan Enos.

 EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State first-year head coach Mark Dantonio announced Wednesday the hiring of defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi and running backs coach Dan Enos, filling the final two positions on his coaching staff. Narduzzi joins Dantonio from Cincinnati, while Enos, the quarterbacks coach at MSU last season, remains on the Spartan staff.

 

Narduzzi and Enos join offensive coordinator Don Treadwell, defensive line coach Ted Gill, offensive line coach Dan Roushar, tight ends/tackles coach and recruiting coordinator Mark Staten, secondary coach Harlon Barnett, linebackers/special teams coach Mike Tressel and quarterbacks coach Dave Warner, all of whom were hired last week. Eight members of Dantonio’s coaching staff from Cincinnati made the move to Michigan State, and Enos worked on Dantonio’s staff for two years at UC before arriving in East Lansing. The immediate football staff also includes assistant athletics director/director of football operations Mike Vollmar, head strength and conditioning coach Ken Mannie and director of player development/high school relations Dino Folino.

 

Here’s a look at the two new members of the Spartan coaching staff:

 

Narduzzi, who served as Dantonio’s defensive coordinator all three years at Cincinnati, developed a solid defensive unit in his tenure with the Bearcats. Defense was the strong suit for UC this season, as Cincinnati ranked among the national leaders in tackles for loss (No. 21 at 6.8 per game), pass efficiency defense (No. 23 at 109.30 rating), rushing defense (No. 27 at 107.5 ypg.), total defense (No. 31 at 304.3 ypg.), scoring defense (No. 34 at 19.3 ppg.) and sacks (No. 34 at 2.3 pg.). UC held seven of its 12 opponents to less than 100 yards rushing, highlighted by performances of 36 yards each in back-to-back games vs. Miami (Ohio) and Akron. In UC’s 30-11 win over then-No. 7 Rutgers on Nov. 18, the Bearcats held the nation’s No. 20 rushing offense to a season-low 50 yards on the ground, and held the nation’s No. 4 rusher, Ray Rice, to a season-low 54 yards. Middle linebacker Kevin McCullough led the team in tackles and ranked fifth in the BIG EAST and 48th nationally with 13.5 tackles for loss. Defensive end Trevor Anderson ranked sixth in the BIG EAST and 57th nationally in tackles for loss (13.0) and was sixth in the BIG EAST in sacks (6.0).

, who served as Dantonio’s defensive coordinator all three years at Cincinnati, developed a solid defensive unit in his tenure with the Bearcats. Defense was the strong suit for UC this season, as Cincinnati ranked among the national leaders in tackles for loss (No. 21 at 6.8 per game), pass efficiency defense (No. 23 at 109.30 rating), rushing defense (No. 27 at 107.5 ypg.), total defense (No. 31 at 304.3 ypg.), scoring defense (No. 34 at 19.3 ppg.) and sacks (No. 34 at 2.3 pg.). UC held seven of its 12 opponents to less than 100 yards rushing, highlighted by performances of 36 yards each in back-to-back games vs. Miami (Ohio) and Akron. In UC’s 30-11 win over then-No. 7 Rutgers on Nov. 18, the Bearcats held the nation’s No. 20 rushing offense to a season-low 50 yards on the ground, and held the nation’s No. 4 rusher, Ray Rice, to a season-low 54 yards. Middle linebacker Kevin McCullough led the team in tackles and ranked fifth in the BIG EAST and 48th nationally with 13.5 tackles for loss. Defensive end Trevor Anderson ranked sixth in the BIG EAST and 57th nationally in tackles for loss (13.0) and was sixth in the BIG EAST in sacks (6.0).

 

In his first season as defensive coordinator at UC in 2004, Narduzzi constructed the defense which led the Bearcats to a runner-up finish in Conference USA and a victory in the Fort Worth Bowl. The secondary ranked 26th in the nation and first in C-USA in pass defense. The Bearcats also ranked second in C-USA and 38th nationally in total defense, and third in the conference in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense. Three Bearcat defenders from that team: Trent Cole, Tyjuan Hagler and Daven Holly, were taken in the NFL Draft, while six others earned all-league recognition. UC’s 2005 defense had as many five first-year freshman starters, and Narduzzi helped groom two of them, Mike Mickens and Corey Smith, to second-team All-BIG EAST and Freshman All-America honors.

 

"We’re thrilled to have Pat Narduzzi on board as our defensive coordinator," Dantonio said. "Pat did a great job in that role at Cincinnati, but he has been successful everywhere he has coached. Prior to joining the staff at Cincinnati, he built a defense at Miami (Ohio) that led the Mid-American Conference in virtually every stat category and ranked among the NCAA leaders in total defense.

 

"Pat is extremely well organized, plus he coaches with great passion and energy. In addition, he’s an outstanding recruiter. Pat is well aware of the tradition Michigan State has on defense, and I have no doubt that he can help build a championship-caliber defense here.

 

"It’s exciting to know that Pat and his family will be part of our new Spartan family."

 

 

Prior to his arrival in Cincinnati, Narduzzi was the architect of the Miami (Ohio) defense in 2003 which helped the RedHawks to a No. 10 finish in the national polls, a Mid-American Conference championship and a win over Louisville in the GMAC Bowl. Miami (Ohio) ranked first in the MAC in rushing defense (19th nationally), scoring defense (22nd nationally) and pass efficiency defense (34th nationally). The RedHawks also ranked second in the MAC and 35th nationally in total defense.

 

Narduzzi previously helped Northern Illinois to a pair of MAC divisional titles during his three seasons in DeKalb (2000-02) as linebackers coach. In 2002, the Huskies had the league’s stingiest defense against the run and were ranked 38th nationally. Narduzzi coached with offensive line coach Dan Roushar for three seasons while he was at NIU.

 

Narduzzi, who has compiled 17 seasons of coaching experience, began his career at Miami (Ohio) in 1990, serving two seasons as a graduate assistant and one as a receivers coach in 1992.

 

In 1993, he started a seven-year tenure at Rhode Island, and served as defensive coordinator from 1998-99. Narduzzi and Roushar also crossed paths at Rhode Island for one season (1993), when Narduzzi was coaching linebackers and Roushar was coaching the offensive line.

 

A Youngstown, Ohio, native, Narduzzi earned all-state football honors at Ursuline High School. He played for his father, Bill Narduzzi, at Youngstown State as a freshman and led the Ohio Valley Conferene in tackles. Narduzzi then transferred to Rhode Island and became a three-year starter linebacker for the Rams from 1987-89.

 Enos, a four-year football letterman (1987-90) and two-year starter (1989-90) at quarterback at Michigan State, joins Dantonio’s staff for the second time in his career. Enos, who will coaching the running backs, spent two seasons as quarterbacks coach at Cincinnati (2004-05).

, a four-year football letterman (1987-90) and two-year starter (1989-90) at quarterback at Michigan State, joins Dantonio’s staff for the second time in his career. Enos, who will coaching the running backs, spent two seasons as quarterbacks coach at Cincinnati (2004-05).

 

In his first season as quarterbacks coach at Michigan State in 2006, Enos tutored Drew Stanton, who was one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top senior quarterback. Stanton finished his career ranked among MSU’s all-time leaders in completion percentage (first at .642), pass completions (second at 543), pass attempts (second at 846), passing yards (second at 6,524), total offense (second at 8,036 yards), 200-yard passing games (second at 18), passing efficiency rating (third at 138.7) and TD passes (fifth at 42).

 

"I’m excited that Dan Enos has decided to join our current coaching staff," Dantonio said. "Dan is a great person and family man. He’s also a true Spartan, who has strong relationships, not only with the current players, but with past players as well.

 

"He has immense knowledge on the offensive side of the ball, having experience as an offensive coordinator as well as coaching quarterbacks, receivers and running backs. Dan spent two years on my coaching staff at Cincinnati, and I was very impressed by his work ethic."

 

In 2005 at Cincinnati, Enos’ pupil Dustin Grutza became the first freshman quarterback to start a Cincinnati season opener (vs. Eastern Michigan) since World War II. Grutza, a red-shirt freshman, finished fourth in the BIG EAST Conference in total offense, averaging 165.0 yards per game.

 

In 2004, Enos helped hone the talents of Gino Guidugli, who closed out his career as Cincinnati’s all-time passing leader with 11,222 yards. As a senior, Guidugli completed 210-of-342 throws (.614) for 2,633 yards and a school-record 26 touchdowns while leading the Bearcats to a 7-5 record, including a 32-14 victory over Marshall in the Fort Worth Bowl. Guidugli ranked fifth in Conference USA and No. 15 in the NCAA in passing efficiency with his 146.5 rating.

 

Enos spent the 2003 season as offensive coordinator under Craig Bohl at NCAA Division II North Dakota State, where he designed an offensive attack that averaged 30.1 points per game en route to an 8-3 record. Tony Stauss hit 220-of-325 passes (.677) for 2,134 yards and 15 TDs. His 2,134 passing yards represent the second-highest single-season total in Bison history.

 

Prior to his appointment at North Dakota State, he worked for three years as the quarterbacks coach at Western Michigan (2000-02) under Gary Darnell. In 2002, the Broncos finished fifth in the Mid-American Conference and No. 30 nationally in passing offense, averaging 256.1 yards per game. In 2001, Western Michigan ranked third in the MAC and No. 30 in the NCAA in passing offense (257.8 ypg.). In 2000, the Broncos averaged 400.6 total yards and 29.9 points per game while posting a 9-3 record, including the MAC West Division crown. In addition, quarterback Jeff Welsh ranked fourth in the league in passing (211.4 ypg.) and total offense (212.8 ypg.).

 

In 1999, Enos served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State) under Randy Ball. The Bears ranked among the NCAA I-AA leaders in passing offense (No. 22 at 258.8 ypg.), scoring offense (No. 23 at 33.9 ppg.) and total offense (No. 30 at 417.8 ypg.). Quarterback Jay Rodgers finished among the national leaders in passing efficiency (No. 9 with a 150.1 rating) and total offense (No. 20 at 251.6 ypg.). In addition, Rodgers set school single-season records for completion percentage (.632), passing yards (2,741), TD passes (24) and total yards (2,768). Rodgers had three 300-yard passing games in 1999, including 395 yards vs. Southern Illinois - the second-best single-game total in Bear history.

 

His full-time coaching credits also include stops at Southern Illinois (quarterbacks and wide receivers, 1997-98), Northern Michigan (offensive coordinator/backfield, 1996) and Lakeland College (offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks and wide receivers, 1994-95). He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for George Perles at Michigan State (1991-93).

 

Enos compiled a 16-7-1 record (.688) as a two-year starter for Coach Perles, including back-to-back bowl victories (defeated Hawaii, 33-13, in the 1989 Aloha Bowl and defeated Southern Cal, 17-16, in the 1990 John Hancock Bowl). As a senior, he threw for 1,677 yards and four TDs while helping the Spartans earn a share of the 1990 Big Ten championship. Enos still ranks among MSU’s all-time Top 10 in pass attempts (No. 10 at 478), pass completions (No. 10 at 297), completion percentage (No. 3 at .621), passing yards (No. 10 at 3,837) and total yards (No. 8 at 4,301).

 

ASSISTANT COACHES AT A GLANCE THE NARDUZZI FILE PERSONAL DATA:

Born April 22, 1966. Family: wife Donna; daughters Arianna (13), Christina (11) and Isabella (4); son Patrick (8).

 

PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:

College - Graduate assistant coach (1990-91) and receivers coach (1992) at Miami (Ohio); linebackers (1993-97) and defensive coordinator (1998-99) at Rhode Island; linebackers at Northern Illinois (2000-02); defensive coordinator at Miami (Ohio) (2003); defensive coordinator at Cincinnati (2004-06).

 

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree from Rhode Island in 1990; master’s degree from Miami (Ohio) in 1992.

 

PLAYING EXPERIENCE:

College - Three-year starter at linebacker at Rhode Island (1987-89); one year at linebacker at Youngstown State (1986).

 

BOWL/POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:

Coach - 2003 GMAC, 2004 Fort Worth.

 

THE ENOS FILE PERSONAL DATA:

Family: wife Jane; daughter Idalia; son Alex.

 

PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:

College - Graduate assistant at Michigan State (1991-93); offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and wide receivers coach at Lakeland College (1994-95); offensive coordinator and backfield coach at Northern Michigan (1996); quarterbacks and wide receivers coach at Southern Illinois (1997-98); offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Southwest Missouri State (1999); quarterbacks coach at Western Michigan (2000-02); offensive coordinator at North Dakota State (2003); quarterbacks coach at Cincinnati (2004-05); quarterbacks coach at Michigan State (2006).

 

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Michigan State in 1991; master’s degree in sports administration from Michigan State in 2006.

 

PLAYING EXPERIENCE:

College - Two-year starter at quarterback for Michigan State (1989-90).

 

BOWL/POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:

Player - 1989 Aloha, 1990 John Hancock. Coach - 2004 Fort Worth.

Courtesy of the MSU SID