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Michigan State Football: 5 potential candidates to replace Mark Dantonio

By Connor Muldowney

TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats looks on during warmups before a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats looks on during warmups before a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 26: Pittsburgh Panthers Head Football Coach Pat Narduzzi watches the action during the second quarter of the Quick Lane Bowl against Eastern Michigan Eagles at Ford Field on December 26, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 26: Pittsburgh Panthers Head Football Coach Pat Narduzzi watches the action during the second quarter of the Quick Lane Bowl against Eastern Michigan Eagles at Ford Field on December 26, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

2. Pat Narduzzi, HC, Pittsburgh

You may hear everyone who’s still feeling nostalgic about Michigan State’s Rose Bowl win in January of 2014 and Cotton Bowl win following the 2014 season clamoring for the return of Pat Narduzzi to East Lansing, and it does make sense.

Narduzzi was one of the best defensive coordinators in college football when he left after the 2014 season for the head coaching job at Pitt but many believed he took the job so he could be groomed to be Mark Dantonio’s eventual replacement. It seemed like a good hire and he has a 36-29 record with the Panthers, but he hasn’t been anything better than slightly above average.

Pitt’s defenses have been awful and he’s never won more than eight games with the Panthers.

However, he has made a bowl game in four out of five seasons in Pitt and that’s been an improvement for the program which had been searching for an identity for years.

Narduzzi knows Michigan State and knows how to recruit the area. He’s familiar with the program and has plenty of experience.

This would fit like a glove, but would he fare better in East Lansing than he has at Pitt?

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