When Mark Dantonio surprisingly resigned as Michigan State’s coach earlier this month, two of the top names targeted to replace him were Luke Fickell and Mel Tucker.
Fickell seemed like the top choice but he said no and returned to Cincinnati. Tucker also reportedly interviewed and informed the school that he planned to return to Colorado.
He even put out a message on social media saying he was looking forward to building the program in Boulder, at least one assistant coach timed up that message with a post of his own and it looked like Tucker was heading into Year 2 with the Buffaloes.
MORE: Michigan State lands Tucker | CU recruits react to Tucker departure
Fast forward to a few days later as the coaching search dragged on and Michigan State’s honchos reportedly sweetened the pot dramatically not only for Tucker’s salary but for his assistant coaches and for the strength and conditioning program.
Tucker is a hot name in coaching circles and a respected defensive coach but his hire is a gamble as well since he only has one season of head coaching experience and Colorado went 5-7.
And it was a strange season in Boulder with some highs like whipping Colorado State in the opener, a come-from-behind victory over Nebraska, going to Arizona State and winning close and then beating Stanford and Washington.
But it came with lows as well as Colorado lost to Air Force and Arizona, got creamed by Oregon and Washington State, hung tight but lost to USC, got hammered at UCLA and at Utah to end the season.
Tucker inherits a Michigan State team that has stalled with back-to-back 7-6 campaigns where the offense has looked downright miserable. Whether it’s a lack of playmakers or stale playcalling (or a mixture of both), the Spartans averaged a little over 22 points per game as only Northwestern and Rutgers were worse.
Quarterback Brian Lewerke threw for 17 touchdowns but 13 interceptions. No receiver had more than six receiving touchdowns. There was no 1,000-yard rusher.
There is opportunity in East Lansing and a chance at a fresh start after things had slowly been moving south under Dantonio but there are also significant challenges within the program and in the case of playing in a conference that is seemingly getting better across the board.
ASK FARRELL
We ask Rivals National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell if Michigan State made the right choice in hiring Tucker - and whether Tucker made the correct call in leaving Colorado for the Spartans?
“Yes and yes. Michigan State is getting a very good coach who will allow them to recruit better in the Southeast which is key to winning in the Big Ten and a guy who relates very well on the recruiting trail and in living rooms. And for Tucker, how could he turn down the amazing disparity in salary?
"I know it’s a bad look to leave Colorado after one year and he’s leaving behind some disappointed recruits and players but this is a business and he made a business decision. Did he lie to recruits? I don’t think he did. I think he was really intent on staying at Colorado for the long term and things just changed. Now Colorado should go out and get Eric Bieniemy and everyone wins!”
