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Michigan State Football: How do Spartans replace Mark Snyder?

By Connor Muldowney

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Mark Dantonio looks on after defeating the Washington State Cougars 42-17 in the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Mark Dantonio looks on after defeating the Washington State Cougars 42-17 in the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football lost another assistant this offseason as defensive ends and special teams coach Mark Snyder is reportedly headed to Florida State.

About a week after losing Harlon Barnett to Florida State, Michigan State will be looking to replace another assistant coach in Mark Snyder.

Must Read: MSU Football: Final report card for 2017 season

The defensive ends and special teams coach is reportedly accepting a job to become part of Florida State’s staff down in Tallahassee with Barnett. He will reportedly be taking care of just the defensive ends down in Tallahassee with Willie Taggart.

Some might not see this as a huge loss, but he did a solid job in his new role as defensive ends coach in 2017. He was criticized heavily, and deservedly so, for his mediocre special teams in previous seasons since being hired, but it looks like Mark Dantonio will have to replace two coaches now.

On top of that, he also needs to hire a 10th assistant. In total, Dantonio will be looking to hire three assistant coaches this offseason, two as replacements and one as an addition to the current nine-member staff.

We’ve already discussed what we think Dantonio should do to replace Barnett but how does he replace Snyder? Ron Burton is a good bet to either join Mike Tressel as co-defensive coordinator or take over the defensive line duties as a whole. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him in charge of the entire defensive line on top of co-defensive coordinator.

As for hiring a replacement, Dave Rayner could be that guy. There have been rumors that the former Michigan State place kicker would be the 10th assistant, but now that there’s a need for a special teams coach, this is the perfect opportunity for the current special teams intern.

Related Story: MSU Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2018

Rayner played in the NFL for about six years and took an intern position with Michigan State this past fall. This could be the perfect opportunity for him to step into a full-time assistant role. It’ll be interesting to see if that’s the route Dantonio goes.

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