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Michigan State football: 6 nightmare scenario head coaching candidates

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 2, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi reacts on the sidelines against the Wofford Terriers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 45-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi reacts on the sidelines against the Wofford Terriers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 45-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Iowa State Cyclones’ head coach Matt Campbell watches the team work out before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Ames, Iowa.
Iowa State Cyclones’ head coach Matt Campbell watches the team work out before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. /

What a difference a couple of years makes. Back before Michigan State hired Mel Tucker, a name that was thrown around was Matt Campbell from Iowa State and I think everyone thought that could be a best-case scenario option.

Campbell shot down any potential rumored interest in the job and Michigan State quickly moved on to the next candidate.

Now, Campbell’s program is in a dark place. Iowa State has fallen off quite a bit since 2020’s 9-3 campaign, going 13-16 over the past two-plus seasons. His program has taken hits with some off-field gambling issues and his recruiting has never been that impressive. That just wouldn’t fly in the Big Ten.

I will admit, Campbell’s players seem to love him and he’s a coach who does things the right way, but he has a now-infamous quote where he said that his goal was never to win a Big 12 title.

Imagine if he was at Michigan State and he said that his goal was not to win the Big Ten. He’d be run out of town in a second.

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