Michigan State LB/Special Teams Coach Mike Tressel Talks About His Starting Three!

At the heart of any defense is it’s linebackers. If those linebackers are going to be dominant, such as the Spartans, then their fearless leader must be well
received. Linebackers Coach and Special Teams Coordinator Mike Tressel is beloved by his players and recruits andfigures to be a mainstay in Big Ten football for the foreseeable future.

Seen on the Michigan State staff as a clutch recruiter, Tressel understands that continuing to bring in top-notch recruits is the lifeblood of any program. He has
continued to build strong bonds with the potential Spartans.

“I hope guys say that [they relate well] to all of our coaches,” said Tressel. “It’s a cycle, sometimes the area you recruit there are great kids and great relationships built. Other years it is going to be another coach who brings in more names. The bottom line is because of our stability, we have been able to build relationships with high school coaches and with players from the time they are freshman on up, and I think that’s a credit to the stability on our staff.”

With that stability, Tressel believes that the Spartans are in position to be one of, if not, the top defense in the conference. That pursuit starts with the play of Chris Norman.

“I think [Chris Norman] can be real good,” said Tressel. “The thing that impressed me was that he cranked up his intensity and his goals for himself. He came up to me immediately after last season and said ‘Coach Tressel, I’m sick of people talking to me about potential, I don’t want to hear about potential anymore, I
want to live up to that.’ He has fought through some injuries; I think he is 100%. With his mindset, I think it’s going to be a big year for him.”

Even though Norman figures to be the focus of the Linebackers, it wont solely be his show.  Max Bullough will be Tressel’s eyes and ears
on the gridiron.

“It make life a little bit easier for myself and Coach Narduzzi having [Bullough] out there,” said Tressel. “We can count on the fact that adjustments we
talk about on the sideline will be implemented. If we run into a formation or alignment we haven’t seen before and a decision has to be made on the field, he’s going to make a good decision. It makes life easier on us and he has become a better football player too.”

When the Spartans are looking for a momentum swing, they don’t need to look further than Denicos Allen. With hits that register on the Richter Scale, Allen will be counted on even more this year.

“[Allen] has a huge upside because he makes plays,” explained Tressel. “He makes the big plays that change games and you can see him get more and more confident [with each start]. Having a guy who can shoot the gap and make the game-changing play, that’s just huge.”

Though the three projected starters are extremely talented, if their depth is tested, an issue should not arise. The MSU Linebacker corps is one of the deepest the Green and White have had in years.

“I can’t say that I have been around a deeper group of Linebackers,” explained Tressel. “I’ve been around some groups that top end, are pretty darn good and would give us a run for our money. But to have seven guys who can legitimately help a team be the best defense in the Big Ten or compete in that direction, I have not been around that.”

Coaches all around the country try to form bonds with their players on the field that carry off of it as well. Tressel allows his family to be a part of his
on-field practices, making his players feel as f they are members of his biological family. It has translated into success for himself and more importantly his players and the Spartans on and off the field.

“I’ve been fortunate to have a great group of guys in the linebacker room,” said Tressel. “Somehow you have to help them believe and be transparent with them that the things you want out of them are in their best interest.  Hopefully that comes across with our entire staff and Coach Dantonio stresses that. One of the top goals is
that each player should leave Michigan State with a great relationship with their position coach and call back and have a lifelong friend.”