Michigan State Football's Coaching Staff Tasked With Turning Program Around

Michigan State football brought in almost a completely new coaching staff this offseason.

Michigan State football had a rough last couple of years with back-to-back losing seasons.

The Spartans losing their head coach was not an ideal scenario last season, but new head coach Jonathan Smith from Oregon State will look to help get Michigan State back on its feet.

Oregon State has had winning seasons for the last three years under Coach Smith and his staff. Spartans offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren coached at Oregon State since 2017. Before Oregon State, Lindgren coached at Colorado from 2013-17, San Jose for a year and Northern Arizona from 2006-2011. 

Michigan State defensive coordinator Joe Rossi coached at Minnesota for six seasons, where he led one of the better defenses in the Big Ten. Minnesota was in the top 10 in total defenses in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Rossi was a two-time nominee for the Broyles Award, coached 30 All-Big Ten honorees, two first-team All-Americans and 10 of his players got drafted to the NFL.

Rossi has earned a name for himself after all of his accomplishments. Eight Golden Gophers got All-Big Ten recognition in 2022. The team ranked fourth in scoring defense, eighth in total defense and 15th in pass defense. 

Spartans secondary coach Blue Adams has high praise for the progress being made in the secondary. With four teams entering the Big Ten, the secondary has to do extra work, especially with Washington coming off a trip to the national title game.

Each position coach has given high praise for their players. After back-to-back losing seasons, these players need praise from proven coaches. 

The legacy left behind by the previous coach and coaches is not a great reputation, but Coach Smith and the other coaches he brought along with the Oregon State players can rebuild the team. The Big Ten has gotten stronger this year, and it will be harder to succeed in, but Smith has proven to be a worthy head coach in a hard division and can hopefully lead the Spartans to a good season.

The Michigan State Spartan Football Spring Green and White Game (Spring Showcase) will be held at the High Cathedral of the Spartan Nation, Spartan Stadium, on April 20, 2024, at 2 p.m.

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