Michigan State offensive lineman Spencer Brown (left) and defensive lineman Maverick Hansen (right) collide as head coach Mel Tucker watches Spartan Stadium in oct 3, 2020 (Photo courtesy of Michigan State Athletic Communications) Photo courtesy of Michigan State Athletic Communications
Mel Tucker stepped onto the podium on the stage in a crowded hall at the Breslin Center after being introduced as Michigan State’s new football coach
« I’ve prepared some remarks so you don’t keep you here all day, » Tucker said looking at a sheet of paper. « If I don’t write them down, we can go on for a while »
It was February 12 and the commentary turned out to be appropriate The coronavirus pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of daily life and has led the Big Ten to postpone the football season Tucker has waited a long time to officially begin his tenure as head of the Spartans and that will come on Saturday (noon, BTN) when they host Rutgers
“I’m really, really excited about this opportunity,” Tucker said on Tuesday “Our team has worked really, really hard to prepare for this moment. We’re just so excited to finally get the chance to play”
When Tucker was hired to replace Mark Dantonio, who retired after 13 seasons at the helm, he spoke of ‘sleeping fast’ and that ‘time is running out’. idea of what would happen with the pandemic Spring training was completely wiped out, players and coaches were sent home and they spent three months setting up programs via videoconference Two weeks of summer training were lost when the entire team had to go into quarantine due to positive COVID-19 results
The state of Michigan only had four practices in five days of fall camp before the Big Ten postponed the season to August 11.The season was re-established on September 16, and two weeks later, Spartans have had their first padded practice since December The Big Ten schedule includes nine games in nine weeks with no flexibility and the possibility of canceling games due to positive COVID-19 results looming However, the state of Michigan is set to play his first game since the Pinstripe Bowl win over Wake Forest in December 27 in New York
“That’s all we worked for and we didn’t know if it was going to happen or not,” Michigan State fifth-year senior center Matt Allen said Tuesday, “so a lot of guys are delighted that we got the opportunity to play this Saturday and that everyone is focused and ready to go «
After resuming the program, Tucker praised what Dantonio and his teams accomplished in what has been Michigan state’s most successful football era since the 1960s. However, he also highlighted a change in culture and the way new staff operate differently
« He’s whatever you want your coach to be, so we’re really happy to have him, happy he’s here, » Michigan State linebacker Antjuan Simmons said on Tuesday of by Tucker « He’s been everything we want in a coach and more »
Tucker, a former defensive back from Wisconsin, began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan State under Nick Saban from 1997 to 1998 He was on the winning staff of the Ohio State and Alabama National Championships, has over two decades of college and NFL coaching experience and has just completed his first season as a coach- leader after leading Colorado to a 5-7 record
“Coaching at Spartan Stadium is special and I remember feeling like I was a graduate assistant assistant at this stadium,” said Tucker “It’s something that I have always cherished and have really looking forward to coming back there «
The sport remains the same but very little will look like a normal game at Spartan Stadium on Saturday Apart from player families and staff members there will be no fans There will be no no no more group, no cheerleaders and no Sparty mascot A fake crowd noise will be pumped through the speakers The quirk of playing a game during a pandemic will be obvious, but that doesn’t change the focus of Tucker and his team
“I can’t wait to represent this great university and this Spartan nation on Saturday,” he said “Our fans deserve to see a football brand that they can believe in and be proud of and we we are certainly preparing for a match where we will have the chance to show what we are »
Now about to make his debut as Michigan State head coach, Tucker has received calls and texts from colleagues, friends and family wishing him well. said this leads to thinking about the mentors and all who have helped him take him to this point
« I think of those people who have been special in my life and who have helped me get to where I am today » said Tucker « I did not get here on my own I received a lot help along the way, I learned from good coaches and great people outside of the profession who helped me
« I like to count my blessings every day and reflect on these people I’m just so grateful for everyone, starting with my parents, who have invested in me all my life and helped me get there My family has supported me It is a daily reflection and appreciation for the help I have received and I am very honored for this «
Tucker has an impressive CV but is heading into his second year as head coach The Spartans come from 7-6 consecutive seasons, have lost half of their starters last year and are unlikely to fight in the Big Ten East Division However, Tucker replaced Dantonio, the most successful coach in program history that guided the Spartans to a trio of Big Ten titles and a place in the 2015 college football playoffs.
“Pressure is a privilege, in my mind,” Tucker said. “The expectations are high here, they always have been, and I accept it. But we’re really focused on the process, the day-to-day process, in terms of developing our team, developing our culture, connecting with our players, hammering out this process and working daily Doing this will put us in a position to be successful in the games and really rise up and meet the expectations that we all have. We just make sure we don’t get ahead of ourselves in terms of the thinking process We talk to our players then, now and after Right now we’re in the present and what we’re doing now will determine what we do next «
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Michigan State Football
World News – USA – After a long wait, the Mel Tucker era will officially begin in the State of Michigan
