As you probably already know, Michigan State football will soon be in the market for a new head coach if nothing changes with Jonathan Smith and the 2025 season.
Smith finds himself on the hot seat but he still has a job despite losing by double digits at home to Michigan in the biggest game of the year. It's hard to say that he earned another week after watching that Michigan game, but maybe his decision to put Joe Rossi on the sidelines helped his case.
That hasn't stopped every fan and former player from coming forth with some potential coaching candidates to replace Smith when he is inevitably let go.
A popular name has been Max Bullough, a former Spartan linebacker and captain during one of the most successful eras of Michigan State football. He's currently the linebackers coach at Notre Dame but I'm sure he would take the promotion at his alma mater.
Guys like Lawrence Thomas, Trae Waynes, and Taiwan Jones have already lobbied for Bullough to replace Smith as the next head coach.
And another Spartan fan favorite has endorsed his former teammate.
@MSU_Football @DantonioMark
— Marcus Rush (@M_Rush44) October 28, 2025
Let’s give the guy a call 📞@Bullough40
He’s got my vote ✅ pic.twitter.com/bRK8Ol6Xbz
Marcus Rush might be one of the most underrated Spartan football players of all time and he just endorsed the former Michigan State captain and Big Ten champion linebacker. He knows Bullough as well as anyone seeing as he was on the same defense as him for three seasons.
It's hard to overlook all of these endorsements for Bullough from former players because they've played with him and they're willing to put the program they love in his hands.
Something to monitor.