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Michigan State football: 5 realistic outside head coaching candidates if Mel Tucker is fired

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 9, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko looks on before the game against the Lafayette Leopards at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko looks on before the game against the Lafayette Leopards at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State football fans are still trying to pick up the pieces after Mel Tucker was suspended on Sunday following the news that he was involved in a sexual harassment case.

Following the suspension, it looks like Michigan State will be moving on from Tucker.

If that’s the case, which outside candidates could the athletic department be looking at? I say outside because I think the best chance for success will come from outside the program rather than an internal hire of someone like Harlon Barnett. I am very much on the Courtney Hawkins bandwagon, however.

Anyways, here are some realistic outside head coaching candidates.

Charles Huff may be a name that you’re not familiar with, but he’s one of the rising stars in college football. He was the Alabama running backs coach and associate head coach for two years (2019-20) before taking over for Doc Holliday at Marshall in 2021.

In his first year with Marshall, the Thundering Herd went a pedestrian 7-6 but in 2022, he led them to a huge road win over a ranked Notre Dame team. The Herd ended the season 9-4 and were one of the nation’s surprise teams. It was clear that Huff could coach.

Huff began his career as a player at Hampton from 2001-05 and he played tight end, fullback, guard, and center (he was just a football guy) and he’s been coaching ever since.

He’s learned from some great coaches, has spent time in the NFL, was trusted by Nick Saban, and even coached at Western Michigan for a year before getting poached by Penn State. This dude can flat-out coach and he’d be a smart addition to the Spartans.

The only question is, will the athletic department dig into the Group of Five for their next hire?

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