The 2023 season has been quite the rollercoaster for the Michigan State football team. Following the official firing of Head Coach Mel Tucker for cause last Wednesday, a new identity is demanded by the Spartan faithful as the program attempts to restore the culture it once had before Tucker’s firing.
Athletic Director Alan Haller issued a community letter on Monday afternoon to recognize the frustrations the MSU fan base has, in addition to providing an update on Michigan State’s plan to conduct a head coaching search to fill the role. The Spartans are winless in the three games coached by interim head coach Harlon Barnett who took over after Tucker was suspended back on Sept. 10.
“Regarding the search, we will thoroughly evaluate and do everything required to find the right individual to lead the Spartan football program,” Haller said in the statement. "Throughout the process, I won’t be able to provide many updates. I realize that our community has a tremendous passion for Spartan football and that there’s a great desire for more information about this process. However, privacy is important to attract top-caliber candidates, most of whom are involved in their own current seasons.”
Haller additionally added that fans will likely hear many rumors about potential candidates for the head coaching position and many different individuals will be interviewed to ultimately make the best decision for the team and the university.
The Tom Izzo Football Building is also nearing completion, which is described as a best-in-class facility that will allow members of the team to bond beyond practicing and playing on the field in order to grow as individuals, Haller said in the statement.
Even after the suspension of Tucker, the tenth anniversary of the 2013 Big Ten Championship and 2014 Rose Bowl teams were celebrated when the Spartans hosted Washington in the third game of the season. Haller expressed that the support from the Michigan State Community for these events and for the team in general through the thick and thin helps assure how strong the support for MSU spans.
“To our community, I can’t thank you enough for the support you’ve demonstrated for our football team and our athletic department,” Haller said in the statement. “You’ve shown up to Spartan Stadium in big numbers to back our student-athletes, and that support has been noted.”
