After finishing the 2022 season ranked 101 out of 131 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in total defense, Michigan State football has found a new defensive line coach.

MSU announced Wednesday that Diron Reynolds is taking over the role following a report that former DL coach Marco Coleman would return to Georgia Tech after one season with the Spartans.

Reynolds comes to East Lansing from Stanford where he spent the last seven seasons as the defensive line coach. During his career, Reynolds has won a Super Bowl ring with the Indianapolis Colts, coached multiple championship teams and worked with All-Americans and All-Pro players.

As for his NFL resume, Reynolds did stints with the Colts from 2002-06, Miami Dolphins in 2007 and most recently, the Minnesota Vikings from 2009-13. 

At Stanford, Reynolds also coached NFL draft picks including defensive tackles Solomon Thomas and Harrison Phillips. He also mentored defensive end Casey Toohill, who is now with the Washington Commanders and Houston Texans defensive end Thomas Booker.

In addition to his time with the Cardinals, Reynolds has collegiate coaching experience at Wake Forest, Indiana and Oklahoma. In 2015, he helped coach the Sooners to a Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff appearance before returning to Stanford the next season.

“I've known Diron Reynolds for more than 15 years – he's one of the best coaches in the business,” MSU Head Coach Mel Tucker said in a statement. “He has an impressive pedigree having worked for some of the top coaches in all of football, including Tony Dungy, Leslie Frazier, David Shaw and Jim Caldwell, and has coached in both the Super Bowl and College Football Playoff. He also has developed players at the highest level, from mentoring future NFL Draft picks to working daily with Pro Bowlers in the NFL. Diron is a family man with great character who will be relentless in leading and motivating our players on and off the field. I'm thrilled about this hire and can't wait to start working with him.”

MSU’s 2022 defensive line, riddled with injury and suspension, finished the season having allowed 178.6 yards per game on the ground, the highest amount from a Spartan team in over a decade. It also put up just 2.42 team sacks and 6.3 tackles for loss per game.