Michigan State Basketball: Matt McQuaid joins coaching staff

Tom Izzo has had to make some big moves this offseason with players transferring out and Tyson Walker coming in, but his coaching staff has been shuffled up quite a bit, too.

Dane Fife left Michigan State for his alma mater, joining Mike Woodson’s staff at Indiana and David Thomas decided to take a new career path, leaving the director of operations role.

Fife’s assistant coach role was filled by former recruiting coordinator Doug Wojcik who also has experience as a head coach and Mark Montgomery is back to fill his old role. He spent time on Izzo’s staff before as an assistant and was Northern Illinois’ head coach for years. It’ll be good to have a familiar face back at a role in which he should excel.

The Spartans were also looking for a new video coordinator and former Spartan basketball player Austin Thornton assumed that role. He was also a grad assistant at MSU.

Former personal assistant Garrett Briningstool will take over Thomas’ old role while a familiar face returns as assistant director of operations. Former MSU basketball star and member of the 2019 Final Four team Matt McQuaid is back in East Lansing, joining the new-look staff.

While he’s just the assistant director of operations, his role could grow and he could eventually become an assistant if that’s the career path he wants to take.

Like after Michigan State basketball career

For a couple of years, McQuaid played overseas in Germany and was on the Canton Charge in the G-League in 2021. He has apparently decided to hang it up — for now — and rejoin the program where he starred.

McQuaid helped Michigan State make a Final Four in 2019 before graduating and heading to Germany. It’ll be good to get him on staff especially after losing Tum Tum Nairn. He can relate to the players in a way that many coaches won’t be able to.

This is a great move by Izzo and the Spartans.