Michigan State football: 6 nightmare scenario head coaching candidates

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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Sep 24, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Toledo Rockets head coach Jason Candle reacts from the sideline during the second half against the San Diego State Aztecs at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Toledo Rockets head coach Jason Candle reacts from the sideline during the second half against the San Diego State Aztecs at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Again, we’re back to the whole MAC head coach conversation. It just won’t work.

Jason Candle is a guy who could slowly work his way up the ranks, going from a school like Toledo maybe to a smaller Power Five program, and then if he proves himself there, he could make his way to a bigger program. But that’s a few years down the line, it seems.

A coach from the tree of another nightmare scenario candidate on this list (Matt Campbell), I just can’t see Michigan State recapturing its glory days with him at the helm. Maybe I’m wrong and he’s the right guy for the job, but it would take a ton of convincing and proof for me to trust the fact that Michigan State hired a coach from the MAC that has just three seasons with over seven wins in seven-plus years.

Although Candle does have two MAC titles, I’d expect a program like Michigan State to pursue a coach with more consistent success at a lower level if they go that route.

Plus, his last two classes have ranked fifth and sixth in the MAC. No thanks.