Michigan State Football: Will Dantonio give Brad Salem keys to offense?

Brad Salem is the new lead play-caller for Michigan State football, but will Mark Dantonio actually let him fully control the offense?

At the end of the 2018 season during his press conference, Mark Dantonio said, “I think this is probably the most significant change in my 12-year tenure, and it’s warranted.” He shuffled his staff around, naming his offensive coordinator Brad Salem, taking the job from Dave Warner.

Dantonio also said it would have taken him over a month to find someone to give the keys to the car and take it for a drive. There were a lot of clues given from that press conference. The biggest hint I got was that Dantonio could have been saying he is giving up dominating the offensive play-calling.

He said of himself he’d be “highly irate if he gave someone the keys to the car and it didn’t work.”

To me that means he understands there needs to be a new concept and a new identity. He understands the ground-and-pound concept doesn’t work like it did in years past.

If there’s going to be a fresh start, he wants it to be done by someone he trusts. Salem could be the new mind this team needs. The timing was perfect and there’s more than enough resources that can make this switch work wonders and beyond for Michigan State. The offense has a solid foundation with Brian Lewerke and Co.

Michigan State also has the element of surprise — the Spartans the future is bright. A solid 2020 class already in the works and the Spartans brought in a transfer wide receiver in Jayden Reed from Western Michigan (a Freshman All-American).

The nation is looking past Michigan State and that’s when they play their absolute best. If the Spartans can take advantage of the 2019 season, they could create a new era for Michigan State football.

All eyes are on the Michigan State offense this season, with all the talent stacking up for the Spartans, there’s no reason to have 2018-like struggles.