Why it’s OK to be optimistic about Michigan State football in 2020

Michigan State has a complete, competent staff

While they don’t have much experience as a unit, there’s plenty of reason to trust this Mel Tucker-led coaching staff.

Tucker has put together a group of young, energetic, innovative coaches to bring a new culture to the program that it desperately needed.

Under Mark Dantonio, things were growing stale. There was no firepower from the offense, and the defense lost a step last season, but the most frustrating thing was Dantonio’s refusal to go away from the same game plan. He was determined that his outdated brand of football could still work, even when it was abundantly clear that it wouldn’t.

Tucker has made it apparent that he knows that the game of football has changed, and that his game plan needs to change with it. He has brought in guys to his staff that will help him affirm this, namely new running backs coach William Peagler, who is a numbers-driven coach. Analytics will help Tucker understand specifically where the team is doing well, as well as how he can improve.

No matter the method of Tucker’s game plan, it’s clear he is showing that he wants to bring Michigan State football out of the dark ages — or stone age might be more appropriate — and help them return to where they used to be. His efforts will be rewarded, and it won’t be long before the Spartans are contending again.