OT: MSU's DC might be moving
Texas A&M may be stealing MSU's DC, Narduzzi. Kevin Sumlin has been authorized to spend some big time $$ on a DC and Narduzzi is apparently at the top of his list.
Naduzzi has been spotted in College Station and there is confirmation from the MSU boards.
I'll be happy if Narduzzi gets the job. Good for A&M, bad for MSU.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:14 PM ^
Narduzzi had made them a very good defense. Losing him would be huge.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:34 PM ^
I think the ability of the MSU staff to recruit a few big names and more importantly find and develop under the radar 3* talent is what has made their defense pretty impressive. It is something that the staff at Michigan the past three years had failed to do even though they were getting higher rated recruits most of the time. It looks like Hoke and Mattison are recruiting some real good defensive athletes and I feel confident they can develop them like the staff at MSU has been over the past few years.
January 5th, 2012 at 1:39 PM ^
The recruits we picked up over the last three years just finished the season as the #2 scoring defense in the Big Ten, behind only Penn State.
Bitching about Rich Rodriguez's recruiting when we just had one of the very best seasons of the last 15 years is extremely dumb at this point.
January 5th, 2012 at 2:13 PM ^
Our boys on D did a hell of job this season and played their hearts out. I give all the credit in the world to the boys on our defense this year, but it was obvious to anyone watching that our D was held together with Mattison's advanced schemes plus a bunch of duct tape, chicken wire, and twine this season. We were lucky to have two great seniors on the Dline in Martin and RVB. Go watch a tape of MSU's swarming and attacking defense and you'll see we lack elite athleticism at this point. Hoke is bringing in those types of players next year. I don't think it is dumb at all to say that we don't have the athletes on D that Ohio and MSU have at this point due to the subpar defensive recruiting of the previous staff. It's the truth.
January 5th, 2012 at 2:52 PM ^
January 5th, 2012 at 3:01 PM ^
January 5th, 2012 at 5:58 PM ^
Not "shitty" players, but the average-ish talent that the players currently on the roster are have played well beyond that, especially relative to what they did last year with basically the same guys. No its not a knock on the players; I love them to death just like every good fan should, but I think we can confidently chalk the success this year on defense up to Mattison et al. They taught them how to play good TEAM defense and do the little things that allowed them to play well above their talent.
January 5th, 2012 at 9:12 PM ^
OSU went 6-7 with all those great athletes they've picked up the last few years. They held our offense to the highest total we've ever scored on them since before most people who know what the internet is were born.
Jerel Worthy was far and away the best player on MSU's defense. Lloyd Carr never offered him a scholarship and he committed to MSU in October of 2007.
Guys like Jake Ryan, Kenny Demens, Craig Roh, BWC, Countess, etc. are not a bunch of talentless hacks held together by chicken wire.
This defense was fantastic all year and next year they only lose 4 guys off the 22-man two-deep roster. Nobody who Brady Hoke brings in this year (no matter how much you want to assume they are awesome before they ever see a field in college) is going to see the field unless they are made of robot parts and have lasers for eyes.
January 6th, 2012 at 1:03 PM ^
And now you're saying Ohio State didn't win with all their great athletes. So are you saying it's coaching?
They may be a good team of defenders, but we haven't really had any high draft picks off the defense since the 2006 team, and it's probably not changing the next couple of years. We can have more talent, AND have them play together well, and to the best of their abilities.
January 5th, 2012 at 2:36 PM ^
Considering this defense was anchored by Coach Carrs recruits you are a little off , but hey yea all we needed to get Richrods recruits to play was remove Rich from the situation.
January 5th, 2012 at 2:52 PM ^
this year, no matter what the PPG stats say. You saw both squads.
Worthy and Gholston are scary players and had them looking like an NFL unit at times. Allen was a big-time playmaker at linebacker and Adams was like glue on opposing wide receivers.
January 5th, 2012 at 3:04 PM ^
I agree. Throw Mattison on MSU's staff this past season and they would have had numbers better Alabama and LSU because MSU doesn't play in the SEC.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:17 PM ^
How much of the D is Narduzzi vs. Dantonio? Somehow I don't think it will hurt too much.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:27 PM ^
only one way to find out...
January 5th, 2012 at 12:17 PM ^
It ought to be interesting to see how Dantonio spins losing Narduzzi to A&M as being Michigan's fault.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:22 PM ^
They'll probably say Michigan payed A&M to take him, since money is apparently the only way we get anywhere (sugar bowl)
January 5th, 2012 at 12:26 PM ^
I think it's more likely that they'll probably say Michigan paid A&M to take him...
On second thought, no, you're probably right.
January 5th, 2012 at 6:25 PM ^
haha not sure how I pulled that one off
January 5th, 2012 at 1:29 PM ^
Well, there are always the lingering contacts and boosters remaining from when Bo was being courted by A&M.
So it is probably some “mole” planted deep underground by UofM waiting to be activated at the right time to steal MSU assets. Don’t believe it? Just wait! There will be more! Absolutely!! Really, it is! I have proof,.. wait, I have to find it, it’s here someplace…
January 5th, 2012 at 12:19 PM ^
MSU is a stepping stool program.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:41 PM ^
The funny thing is that over on the RCMB they are spinning this to be a lateral move. I'd say besides this season Texas A&M is a more prestigous program, and a program that is moving to the SEC next season. MSU will be a premier program if they can continue to make upper-tier bowl games for the next 5-10 years. Until then, they are an average program that is having a few good years while their in-state rival was struggling through their worst few years in school history.
January 5th, 2012 at 1:02 PM ^
Just a short while ago, comparisons were made between Texas A&M and Michigan State as both being the number 2 program, interest-wise, in their respective states.
Even if that comparison is apt, A&M still has higher standards. Just look to what they have done in College Station since RC Slocum. Franchione "resigned" despite a winning season; MSU would have killed for a slightly above 500 season prior to Dantonio (after Saban's departure).
January 5th, 2012 at 1:04 PM ^
If you're losing him to another school because it's a better job, you're admitting you're second rate. But if you're saying it's a lateral move, well, then, why the hell is he leaving? That says something else is wrong there. There's really no good way to spin it.
January 5th, 2012 at 5:39 PM ^
Sometimes it's about the money. Once upon a time a long time ago the Aggies made a serious run at Bo, and they very nearly won out, save Tom Monohagn(sp) and some pizza dough. Remember too, we did lose Mattison to ND.
January 6th, 2012 at 1:00 PM ^
But it's not any less embarrassing to get outbid, either.
January 5th, 2012 at 1:07 PM ^
it's a lateral move that could pay him 2-3x as much as he makes at MSU.
January 5th, 2012 at 2:15 PM ^
It is a lateral move in anyone's eyes except Texas A&M fans, at least as far as program prestige is concerned. There is not a single fanbase in the country who's expectations exceed the historical performance of their team more than the Aggies. They transcend delusion.
January 5th, 2012 at 6:35 PM ^
Sparty:
| All-time record | 633–427–44 (.593) |
| Postseason bowl record | 8–14 |
| Claimed national titles | 6 (1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1965, 1966) |
| Conference titles | 7 (1953, 1965, 1966, 1978, 1987, 1990, 2010) |
| Division titles | 1 (2011) |
| Heisman winners | 0 |
| Consensus All-Americans | 28 |
Texas A & M:
| All-time record | 681–450–48 (.598) |
| Postseason bowl record | 14–19 |
| Claimed national titles | 1 |
| Conference titles | 18 |
| Heisman winners | 1 |
| Consensus All-Americans | 21 |
Basically it's a wash, unless you buy into all of Sparty's claimed MNCs...then you could almost make the case that A&M is a step down.
January 5th, 2012 at 2:19 PM ^
STEPPING IN STOOLS PROGRAM??????
Human feces (or human faeces), also known as a stool, is the waste product of the human digestive system including bacteria.
January 5th, 2012 at 5:30 PM ^
That's the risk you take when you step foot on the campus of an Agricultural College
January 5th, 2012 at 12:19 PM ^
MSWHO?
January 5th, 2012 at 12:23 PM ^
Worthy is also expected to go to the NFL today. There is a press conference at 2:00 today.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:24 PM ^
Maybe someone informed him that teams look for low IQ/body mass ratios in their players?
January 5th, 2012 at 12:36 PM ^
Needs a backup guy to throw punches for the games Suh is suspended. Since personal fouls seem to be a staple of the defense. *grumbles*
January 5th, 2012 at 12:39 PM ^
Hmm...to me calling a press conference is the move you do when you decide to stay. Press release seems more like a go to NFL type thing to do.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:22 PM ^
he just wants to get away from Dantonio. And who could blame him?
January 5th, 2012 at 12:22 PM ^
I think Dantonio has more influence over the D. This is just another example of a coach benefitting from a good run of players and existing under the head coaches specialty. This d was pathetic Dantonios 1st couple of years and Narduzzi was the coordinator then as well.
Valenti was begging for Dantonio to fire this guy in 09 when they were sherdded by CMU, Minnesota and the rest of the Big Ten.
They've created a great defense in EL, but how much Narduzzi has influenced it I don't know.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:26 PM ^
+ 12th man + Bonfire + "ATM" helmet logo + SEC entry divided by Texas equals?
I don't know. Just wondering.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:27 PM ^
Have fun in the EES EEE SEEE.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:27 PM ^
Eh, he's moving up to a real job. I wouldn't consider that "stealing."
January 5th, 2012 at 12:27 PM ^
Dantonio loses coordinators nationally.
January 5th, 2012 at 2:27 PM ^
well done
January 5th, 2012 at 12:36 PM ^
HAHA that should help their top notch defense next year. Bring on the melt down.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:36 PM ^
...Here's a simple straight-up informational question. What's he getting right now from State? If Narduzzi has a GERG-type 275k contract, I wouldn't blame the guy at all for at least establishing his market value, whether he bolts from E. Lansing or not.
And actually, if Narduzzi has been getting more than that for several years, and he may have been, what does that tell us?
No one should be surprised if Mark Hollis has seen what happened at Michigan, with the Casteel/Schafer/Robinson/{Casteel}/Mattison progression, and the painfully obvious progression of DC salaries in other conferences, to know what the deal is.
Michigan, OSU, MSU, Wisconsin; they have all been pummeled in the last four years with the market rates for top DC's.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:44 PM ^
Thing is, this is why MSU will never be able to sustain this kind of success (although I think that's what you're implying). They will never have the resources to retain great coaches like that. Even if they ante up for Narduzzi it's not like they can pay the high-end market rate for all of their assistants all the time.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^
FWIW, SpartanNation is saying Narduzzi is around $250K right now and planned raise would put him slightly over $300K. A&M is reportedly throwing out $600K-$750K.
Breaking News from Spartan Nation: Pat Narduzzi His offer from Texas A & M will start at $600K per year and could go as high as $750K.
January 5th, 2012 at 1:16 PM ^
If he's going to get paid Mattison/Smart money, he'd have to be one loyal subject to Dantonio not to bolt.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:56 PM ^
Narduzzi currently makes $240,000 and did not receive any performance bonuses for MSU's appearance in the conference championship game, bowl victory over Georgia, or general destructive capabilities all season on defense. He is due for a delayed raise in February that would bring his salary to $305,000. A startling comment from SpartanNation.com on the pending raise:
That would bring his pay up to the Minnesota/Indiana range. Approximately 6-8th in the Big Ten.
The same site is reporting that Texas A&M's offer is a base salary of $600,000 with bonuses reaching $750,000. In other words, they are at least doubling his MSU salary even after the delayed raise.
January 5th, 2012 at 1:43 PM ^
See, truly any piece of college football news can be related back to Rich Rodriguez.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:39 PM ^
Id be surprised if he left.. He is likely doing the same thing Dantonio did and trying to get more money/prestige, by allowing others to court him. They have a good thing going at MSU, unfortunately. He should hold out for a head coaching gig, not a lateral move.