Michigan State Football: Mel Tucker making sure former players feel welcome

Although he’s only been the head Michigan State football coach for a handful of months, Mel Tucker is making sure former players feel welcome.

For months, we’ve been speculating just how well the Mel Tucker era might go for Michigan State. He took over in February after National Signing Day and then in-person recruiting was shut down due to COVID-19 hitting the nation.

A month later, spring football was cancelled and he didn’t get to spend much time with his team, learning the strengths and weaknesses of his new players.

It’s tough for a new coach to get acclimated with a brand new team in a short period of time, but Tucker was forced to do so all via Zoom calls. It hasn’t been an easy road, but he and his staff have made the most of it and they’re communicating well with the players, at least that’s what everyone has said thus far.

The reviews have all been positive for Tucker and even though the program is in an unfamiliar place with a new head coach for the first time in 13 years, he’s making sure he touches all the bases.

What do I mean by this?

Not only is he making sure his current players feel comfortable with the staff, he’s also making sure former players feel welcomed back by himself and his other coaches with care packages that he sent out this week.

The packages included Spartan shirts, shorts, hats and a letter and Joe Bachie was the first to share the cool gift on his Instagram story.

This is the perfect way to connect with former players because it shows that the coach is aware that they’re still part of the family. Dantonio made sure that family atmosphere was always present and it looks like Tucker is continuing it.

Good on you, coach.