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Michigan State Football: A look at offseason moves and program direction

By Ryan Kay

EAST LANSING, MI - AUGUST 30: General view as fans make their way to the stadium prior to a game between the Tulsa Golden Hurricane and the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on August 30, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - AUGUST 30: General view as fans make their way to the stadium prior to a game between the Tulsa Golden Hurricane and the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on August 30, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football finalized its coaching staff for 2020 thanks to Mel Tucker and now what direction is the program headed in?

Michigan State and new head coach Mel Tucker have completed their coaching staff and are looking to make an impact early. All 10 of Tucker’s on-field assistants for his staff have been hired.

Ron Burton and Mike Tressel were brought back as they were on the defensive staff under previous head coach Mark Dantonio. Harlon Barnett, who was the defensive coordinator at Florida State, was brought back as defensive backs coach as he was also a defensive coordinator at Michigan State prior to leaving to take the position with the Seminoles.

Arguably the biggest hire outside of Tucker was Scottie Hazelton from Kansas State as he will serve as the Spartans’ defensive coordinator. He has been a defensive coordinator multiple times as well as having coached in the NFL. He was a defensive coordinator at Wyoming (2017-18) and Nevada (2013) prior to having spent the 2019 season as the defensive coordinator at Kansas State.

Hazelton, Burton, Barnett, Tressel and Tucker will look to continue the success that the Spartan defense has had over the years. The biggest obstacle for them is that depending on how you define a starter as Michigan State will lose eight defensive starters from last season and in terms of depth, the Spartans need to replace a good portion of their talented unit from last year.

However, the defensive staff will have Naquan Jones and Jacub Panasiuk back on the defensive line, Antjuan Simmons and Noah Harvey return from the linebacking corps and Shakur Brown, Xavier Henderson, Kalon Gervin and converted Julian Barnett back from the secondary.

Michigan State loses a lot from last season as multi-year starters in Kenny Willekes, Raequan Williams, Mike Panasiuk, Josh Butler, Josiah Scott, Tyriq Thompson, Joe Bachie and David Dowell are gone. However, there is confidence that Hazelton will be able to have the Spartan defense ready to go this fall and that Michigan State’s defense will play well in 2020.

Bringing back Burton and Tressell, as well as former Michigan State DC Barnett, should keep the Spartan defense at minimum solid enough so that it is not a liability next season in terms of winning game.

The offense is more of uncertainty moving forward but there is a reason for hope and optimism for 2020.

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