The Big Ten Coaching Carousel: A New Chapter for Michigan State's Running Game
Get ready for an exciting development in the world of college football coaching! Michigan State is set to bring on board a rising star in the coaching ranks, and it's a move that has everyone talking.
Devon Spalding: The Next Running Backs Coach
According to On3's Pete Nakos, Michigan State is all geared up to hire Wisconsin's Devon Spalding as their new running backs coach. Spalding, who has spent three seasons with the Badgers, is now crossing over to the Spartans, led by the new head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
But here's where it gets interesting... Spalding has played a pivotal role in the development of some incredible talent at Wisconsin. Players like Braelon Allen and Tawee Walker have thrived under his guidance, and now, he's bringing that expertise to Michigan State.
A Coaching Journey: From Graduate Assistant to Rising Star
Spalding's coaching career began as a graduate assistant under Luke Fickell at Cincinnati in 2019. He then spent three seasons as the running backs coach at Youngstown State, where he first got a taste of the position. In 2023, he reunited with Fickell at Wisconsin, and the rest, as they say, is history.
During his time at Wisconsin, the running backs position has seen tremendous success. Under Spalding's mentorship, Braelon Allen rushed for an impressive 984 yards in 2023, setting the stage for his NFL dreams. Allen's career at Wisconsin culminated with a total of 3,494 rushing yards, placing him ninth in the program's history. Tawee Walker, another standout, ran for nine touchdowns during conference play last season, finishing the year with 10 total scores and 864 rushing yards.
And this is the part most people miss... Spalding is still young himself, having played college football at Central Michigan from 2014 to 2018. He was a versatile athlete, playing both wide receiver and running back, and he knows what it takes to excel at multiple positions.
A New Challenge: Michigan State's Rebuild
Spalding is joining a Michigan State program that had a tough 2023 season, finishing with a 4-8 record. The former head coach, Jonathan Smith, had a challenging tenure, going 4-15 (9-15 without vacated wins from the Mel Tucker era).
Now, Fitzgerald and his team are working hard to turn things around. They're building a new-look Spartans football program, and it all starts with assembling a top-notch coaching staff.
The Spartans' Staff: A Star-Studded Lineup
In addition to Spalding, Fitzgerald has made some other impressive hires. One of the biggest additions is Nick Sheridan, the current co-offensive coordinator for Alabama. Sheridan, who previously worked with Kalen DeBoer at Washington, is set to join the Spartans as their next offensive coordinator. He brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success.
The Spartans are also bringing in LeVar Woods, the special teams coordinator from Iowa, to join Fitzgerald's staff. With these key hires, Fitzgerald is well on his way to creating a powerhouse program.
So, what do you think about these coaching moves? Are you excited to see how Michigan State's running game evolves under Devon Spalding? And what impact will these new coaches have on the Spartans' overall performance? Let's discuss in the comments and share our thoughts on this intriguing development in the world of college football!
