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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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Jan 1, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck (sunglasses) reacts during the fourth quarter of the game against the Auburn Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck (sunglasses) reacts during the fourth quarter of the game against the Auburn Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports /

I remember thinking back in 2020 when Michigan State was looking for someone to replace Mark Dantonio that PJ Fleck would be a good option. I was all on board with him being the next Spartans head coach, but it seemed as if he used the opening in East Lansing as leverage for a raise.

Since then, he’s just 23-14 and is off to an ugly 2-2 start to the 2023 season after losing on the road against arguably the worst Power Five team in the country (Northwestern).

Fleck has a ton of energy and is still young at 42 years old, but it feels like his ceiling at Minnesota is nine wins outside of that one 11-win campaign in 2019 which hasn’t been replicated. He is a solid coach, but I can’t see him competing for titles in the Big Ten, especially with average recruiting classes like he’s had in Minneapolis.

You also have to remember that he’s winning 7-9 games at Minnesota while playing in one of the weakest divisions in college football. And he’s never led the Gophers to the Big Ten title game.

That’s concerning and it’s not something MSU fans should want. They deserve better.

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