These are the coaches that Michigan State needs to look at first

Michigan State should look at the following criteria closely when hiring their new head football coach.

Experience: The Spartans should look for a coach with head coaching experience at the FBS college level, preferably a head coach with at least five years of head coaching experience. Experience is important because it shows that a coach has a proven track record of success and is capable of building a program.
Recruiting: Michigan State needs a coach who can recruit at a high level. The Spartans compete in the Big Ten, which is one of the most competitive conferences in college football especially now that UCLA, Oregon, USC, and Washington will be joining the conference in 2024. In order to be successful, Michigan State needs to be able to recruit the best players in the country in the hope of making the college football playoffs in the upcoming seasons..
Offensive philosophy: Michigan State should look for a coach with an offensive philosophy that can elevate an offense that has been stagnant for the most part since the 2022 season. The Spartan players on the current roster need a coach who can develop them and put them in a position to succeed on and off the field.
Defensive philosophy: Michigan State has a long history of being a strong defensive team going back to the Mark Dantonio era. The Spartans should look for a coach who can continue that tradition and build a defense that is capable of potentially stopping the best offenses in the Big Ten.
Culture: Michigan State should look for a coach who can create a positive culture within the program. The Spartans need a coach who can build relationships with his players and help them develop as individuals.

Fit: The Spartans should look for a coach who is a good fit for the program and the university. The coach should be someone who can embrace Michigan State’s traditions and values.
Compensation: Michigan State needs to be willing to pay the right price for a top-notch coach. The Spartans are competing in the Big Ten, and they need to be able to attract the best coaches in the country.
Terms: Michigan State should offer the new coach a long-term contract. This will give the coach the time he needs to build the program and achieve success.

Many media outlets are reporting that Michigan State should look at coaches who have had recent success as head coaches and even some offensive coordinators as well. No one is saying that coaches like Kansas’s Lance Leipold or Washington State’s Jake Dickert can’t be considered for the Michigan State’s head coaching job but both candidates have a short FBS head coaching record, whereas other candidates have proven they can win at a Power Five school and have over five years of heading coaching experience at the FBS level.

Other coaches who meet more of the above criteria should be considered first because they have more of a proven head coaching record than some other candidates who have been mentioned more often by national media outlets.

Let’s take a look at coaches who Michigan State should gauge if they are interested in becoming the next Michigan State football head coach.