Michigan State already has two former players on the staff under Pat Fitzgerald, but it sounds like a third Spartan, this time from the Mark Dantonio and Mel Tucker eras, has joined the mix.
According to Emmett Matasovsky of Spartan Shadows, there’s going to be another former Michigan State football star on the staff next season. Matt Allen, an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection in 2021, has apparently joined the staff as a volunteer offensive assistant coach.
While no specific role has been unveiled, I would be shocked if he wasn’t helping Nick Tabacca out on the offensive line. It can’t hurt to add a former All-Big Ten lineman to the staff.
Allen was recruited by Dantonio and redshirted as a true freshman in 2016. He got to witness Dantonio’s worst team in 2016 before seeing his first action in 2017 for a 10-win team. He played for some mediocre squads from 2018-2020 and then his final season in 2021 saw the Spartans win 11 games and a Peach Bowl trophy.
Now he’s back where it all started.
Having a former player who saw the good (2017, 2021) and the bad (2016, 2018-2020) is going to be good because he knows what it takes to get on the right side of things. Plus, he was a really good interior offensive lineman and he can bring a wealth of knowledge to the staff.
The Allen brothers left their mark on East Lansing
Jack Allen was the first brother to come through the program and he was one of the best linemen in the Big Ten during his time in East Lansing. He was an All-American in 2015 before going undrafted and bouncing around on practice squads for three years before his playing career came to an end.
Brian Allen was the middle brother who arguably had the most long-term success. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and was eventually a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams and started dozens of games over his five years there. Unfortunately, his career fizzled out after the 2023 season.
Matt was the last Allen brother to come through and he left his mark, too, leading Michigan State to a Peach Bowl and earning All-Big Ten honorable mention honors. Now he’s joining Fitzgerald’s staff.
So now the Spartans have the oldest of three Bullough brothers and the youngest of three Allen brothers on the staff for 2026. The family feel is returning.