Michigan State Coaching Candidates To Replace Mel Tucker Revealed

Getty Image / Mike Mulholland

Michigan State is now looking for a new football coach, after the firing of head football coach Mel Tucker for inappropriate conduct towards sexual assault prevention advocate Brenda Tracy. And, Action Network’s Brett McMurphy came out with a list that his sources told him are names under consideration.

Here is the list. There are some interesting names on it, that’s for sure.

Let’s take a look at the list name-by-name

Mike Elko, Duke Head Coach
This is probably the best coach on the list. former Texas A&M defensive coordinator instantly turned Duke around after being hired following the 2021 season. The program won nine games last year, and is 4-0 this year. Juxtaposed against the history of Duke football and a 3-9 2021 season, he’s been nothing short of remarkable.

Dan Enos, Arkansas Offensive Coordinator
The former Michigan State player and assistant coach is an intriguing name to bring up, even though many Spartan fans may find him underwhelming. His one stint as a head coach was at Central Michigan, where he led the Chippewas to three straight seasons of .500 football or better, before leaving to join Arkansas as the offensive coordinator for the first time.

Matt House LSU Defensive Coordinator
Another Spartan grad, House is considered one of the great young defensive minds in all of football, and will be a head coach somewhere soon. Most of his experience is in college, though he did serve as the linebackers coach in Kansas City for

Charles Huff, Marshall Head Coach
Huff is one of the hottest names in the college coaching business. The former Penn State and Alabama assistant has Marshall playing great football, as they’re 15-4 in their last 19 games. He’s young, and he can recruit. Think of him as a coach in the mold of mentor Penn State coach James Franklin.

Pat Narduzzi, Pitt Head Coach
Narduzzi was a longtime defensive coordinator under former Coach Mark D’Antonio, and has seen reasonable success at Pitt. The program even won the ACC in 2021. But, some questionable decisions regarding offensive coaching personnel has seen the program backslide since.

Mike Tressel, Wisconsin Defensive Coordinator

The nephew of Ohio State coaching legend Jim Tressel, he was also a longtime defensive assistant under D’Antonio. This another hire that would likely be underwhelming, and I expect the Spartans to try to swing big.

It will be interesting to see who takes this job, and what Michigan State’s timeline is to fill it.