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Michigan State football: 4 riskiest head coaching candidates

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline monitors warm-ups prior to the NCAA football game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Ohio Stadium.
Sep 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline monitors warm-ups prior to the NCAA football game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Ohio Stadium. /
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Oct 7, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd head coach Charles Huff looks on during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd head coach Charles Huff looks on during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

I’m in the camp of wanting Charles Huff to get a serious look as the Spartans’ next head coach, but I do understand why some people are hesitant to buy in.

Huff is in his third year as head coach of Marshall and it’s not like the Thundering Herd were struggling before he got there. In fact, Doc Holliday had at least eight wins in six of the previous eight seasons before Huff got there. He made a bowl game in all but one year during that eight-season stretch. Marshall has been a solid Group of Five team for a while.

So I get the hesitation to make him a top candidate by some fans.

Huff came in after a 7-3 season by Holliday in 2020 and went 7-6 in 2021. In 2022, Huff’s Thundering Herd were 9-4 and so far in 2023, they’re 4-1 with a one-touchdown loss at NC State. Not a bad resume for a first-time head coach, but is it too early to tell if he’s going to be good? Probably.

Like Tucker, Huff is relatively brand new to head coaching and while he’s a hot name right now and has a history of being a really good recruiter, it’s a risky move.

Do you give the keys of the program to a guy with a 20-11 record in two-plus years at Marshall? I’m not so sure.

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