Now that the Spartans' lackluster football season has come to a close, the squad is desperately seeking a head coach. Although Athletics Director Ron Mason said he has no set timetable to find a replacement for former head coach Bobby Williams, he should work with some sense of urgency.

The biggest recruiting periods are just around the corner - the beginning of December and the second week of January. MSU needs a coach if it wants to keep the verbal commitments it has received and bring more in before the talent pool is drained.

Mason has reportedly been receiving calls from interested coaches and their agents from across the country about filling the position. He concluded a series of advisory meetings Nov. 19 to help define what qualities MSU's next head coach should bring to Spartan Stadium. It is comforting to see Mason working in a thorough manner to find Williams' replacement, but he should not forget recruitment deadlines. Prospective Spartans need to know who they will be playing for if they are to commit to the Green and White.

While Mason's department has not released names of possible candidates, sports analysts have been discussing the merits of Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis, Bowling Green head coach Urban Meyer, Pittsburgh head coach Walt Harris, Oklahoma defensive coordinator and associate head coach Mike Stoops and Miami defensive coordinator Randy Shannon.

There are currently four open NCAA Division I head coaching jobs - MSU, Wyoming, Utah and Baylor. That means there is competition. And the possibility of having to rebuild a Spartan powerhouse might deter some applicants.

MSU needs to work to snatch up the best possible candidate quickly if the Spartans are to have a chance at gridiron glory in 2003. The upcoming months are crucial for coaches to start restructuring their teams. Mason should keep one eye on his applicants and one eye on the calendar in the coming weeks.