"He seems to be the right fit for us at this point because we need someone with defensive experience. He sort of pulls to the weaker part of our football team right now. I think it helps that he comes with Nick Saban's thumbs up. He's probably the last great coach that we had."

Tom Randall
computer engineering junior

"He seems like a reasonable guy. I don't really know him all that well. He gave a pretty intelligent interview. He talked a lot about the future of MSU and how there's all the good resources here. What else could they have done? They had to fire What's-His-Name."

Tom Reilly
film studies sophomore

"It's probably anything better than … what John L. (Smith) was doing. I think it's good for a change. Obviously, (Drew) Stanton's going to be gone, (along with) a few other seniors. But it'll be something fresh, hopefully be for the better."

Nick Costa
hospitality business junior

"I thought they were going to hire someone else? What's his name? (Tom) Izzo, oh yeah. I'm really shocked. I'm in awe right now."

Sarah Lesinski
no-preference freshman