Michigan State Football: What’s next after disappointing 2019 season?
By Ryan Kay
Michigan State football finished the 2019 season with a disappointing 7-6 record but what could the future bring for the Spartans?
On paper, the Spartans won their last three games of the season with some stellar defensive performances. On the season, Michigan State had a difficult schedule traveling and playing on the road at Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan. They also lost two very close games to bowl teams in Illinois and Arizona State but what is the direction of the the program moving forward?
Will there be coaching changes? Does the Spartan fanbase support the team fully moving forward?
It’s very difficult to predict the direction of the Michigan State program moving forward into next season. For the second straight year, the Spartans finished the season with a 7-6 overall record after having high aspirations of competing for a Big Ten title.
Once again, Michigan State’s offense struggled especially in its inability to score in the red zone. This season they also struggled to make field goals as Matt Coghlin went 22-for-32 after a great sophomore year in 2018.
The biggest concern moving forward is the loss of key players on the defensive side of the ball especially on the defensive line. To make matters worse, the Spartans have a more difficult schedule in 2020.
Finally, will there be any coaching changes for next season? The answer to that question may be the same as it was last season but time will tell.
All the Spartan assistant coaches were given one-year contracts before the season and it’s unlikely all will be back for the 2020 season. Many had expected coaching changes after last season but instead the assistant coaches were reassigned roles and positions. The offensive staff would the most likely to see changes either in form of a dismissal or more likely, a retirement of two of the current offensive coaches.
The Spartans are likely to make at least one move on the defensive side of the ball as rumors of Harlon Barnett may be returning to the Michigan State coaching staff after his firing as the defensive coordinator at Florida State. Head coach Mark Dantonio is more than likely not retiring and hoping to bringing the Spartans back to national prominence. However, it will be a very difficult task to accomplish with many question marks heading into next season.
Michigan State is losing 21 seniors including starting quarterback Brian Lewerke and future NFL defensive linemen Kenny Willekes and Raequan Williams. The Spartans also have to find a long-term replacement at middle linebacker for recently suspended senior Joe Bachie as well.
Also, unlike teams like LSU who revamped their offense and used the transfer portal to get a highly-talented quarterback, it’s unlikely that Michigan State will radically change their offensive philosophy and have an experienced quarterback lead the team next season.
However, the Spartans do have some hope if all the underclassmen return on both sides of the ball and don’t enter the NFL draft or the transfer portal.