Coaching is more than a simple task of motivating a group of 18- to 22-year-olds to play hard on Saturdays. John L. Smith has failed to get the most out of his players, but his coaching issues run much deeper.

What about clock management?

There are three certainties in life: Death, taxes and John L. Smith's wasting of precious seconds at the end of a half.

The clock starts when the ball is kicked. On a change of possession, the clock starts when the ball is marked "ready for play." These changes have been discussed constantly, but the Spartans are still playing by last year's rules. After wasting time at the end of both halves against Notre Dame, the Spartans once again took their sweet time getting to the line and watched the seconds tick away.

What about knowing your personnel?

Smith has coached Jehuu Caulcrick for three years now, but still tends to run him toward the edge of the defense, rather than straight ahead.

What about milking an advantage?

T.J. Williams caught three passes in the first quarter against Illinois, but only saw the ball once the rest of the day. Sound familiar? Caulcrick was running wild against Notre Dame a week ago, but only touched the ball twice in the fourth quarter. Maybe Smith's motto is, "If it ain't broke, try something completely different."

There's still plenty of time for Smith to salvage the season. The players support him, and the talent exists to compete with the elite in the Big Ten. But without marked improvement — beating Michigan or Ohio State, getting to a bowl game — he'll be shown the door.

Ethan Conley can be reached at conleyet@msu.edu.