Jake Dickert was a fast-rising name on everyone’s list a few short weeks ago, but that’s the luxury of having a couple of months to judge a head coaching search. You don’t have to make a decision right away and you can see if some of these early candidates are legit or just flashes in the pan.
For Dickert, I think it’s too early to say he’s either because he’s been decent at Washington State after taking over in a horrible position, but he’s not quite winning big.
The Cougars began the season 4-0 with a statement win over then-No. 14 Oregon State and everyone was quick to jump on the Dickert bandwagon. Heck, I was right there. But since then and all the hype he garnered, he’s lost five straight games and now the Cougars are in serious danger of missing a bowl game at 4-5. That would be an epic collapse.
If I’m Alan Haller, I see this rapid downfall of the season and I get spooked because, well, that’s exactly the type of situation Michigan State is trying to avoid with its next hire.
Dickert could very well turn the program around into a consistent winner, but Michigan State doesn’t have time to see that play out.