Michigan State A Favorite to Land Illinois LB Clifton Garrett

via 247sports.com

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier 

Michigan State already has one of the best defenses in the Big Ten, and country, but defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi isn't resting on his laurels, he's actively recruiting to make his defense even better. That improvement could come from fearsome Illinois linebacker Clifton Garrett, a four-star recruit and the best LB in the state of Illinois.

Garrett is ranked as the 41st best prospect in the country by 24/7 Sports and the second best linebacker in the country by the same site. He has progressed immensely from his sophomore campaign, putting himself on the national radar.

At 6'3" and 220 lbs., Garrett could stand to bulk up a little but his height is good for an outside linebacker. With the recent influx of talent at the linebacker position at Michigan State, Garrett could fit right in, red-shirting a season to get bigger and learn from those ahead of him and then hit the field and shut down the outside of the offense.

Garrett is being heavily recruited, but Michigan State is considered to be on his favorites list. It was reported that offensive coordinator Dan Roushar recruited Garrett and that he is very much interested in the green and white. Becoming a Spartan isn't his only option though, having received over 12 offers, including scholarship offers from Notre Dame and Ohio State.

The Irish and Buckeyes are also considered to be on his favorites list, but the allure of Ohio State may be too much for Garrett to turn away from, as he grew up a fan of the Buckeyes. Michigan State has made a career of landing big recruits regularly of late, so they won't give up on Garrett any time soon, and it looks like they just might land another big name soon.

Spartans Assistants Get Long Deserved Raises

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier 

The Michigan State football program has started to win big games, and with that comes national attention and other teams looking to emulate the success that is taking place in East Lansing. One way to replicate the success the Spartans are having is to pry one of head coach Mark Dantonio's assistant coaches away from his program and give them the headset on another team.

With the departures of Don Treadwell and Dan Enos to Miami of Ohio and Central Michigan respectivelythe Spartans looked like they were about to lose their defensive coordinator, Pat Narduzzi, as well. But after much courtship from other schools Narduzzi agreed to remain with the Spartans. Because he came back, it was obvious that he would be due a substantial pay raise for his loyalty.

Each of these pay increases are well deserved and long due for the members of Dantonio's coaching staff. Dantonio has been lobbying for raises for his staff for years now and Athletic Director Mark Dantonio was finally given the funds to pay Dantonio's staff what they deserve.

While this raise for Narduzzi will keep him in green and white for now, he will not always be a Spartan. What this salary increase says is that Michigan State recognizes that Dantonio's assistants have contributed mightily to the recent success of the program and the school wants to maintain a winning program. Narduzzi will also remain with Michigan State unless he takes a step up to a head-coaching job.

The Lansing State Journal got the numbers on the pay raises given out to all of Dantonio's assistants today.

Pat Narduzzi (D-Coordinator)- Three-year deal with an increase from $233,000 to $500,000. NArduzzi must pay a $250,000 buyout if he leaves his defensive coordinator position for another coordinator position. Would not have to pay buyout if he takes a head coach position.

Dan Roushar (O-Coordinator)- Increase from $230,000 to $305,000

Dave Warner (QB's)- Increase from $175,000 to $200,000

Brad Salem (RB's)- Raise from $170,000 to $200,000

Terry Samuel (WR's)- Raise from $163,000 to $182,000

Mark Staten (O-Line)- Increase from $170,000 to $200,000

Ted Gill (D-Line)- Increase from $163,000 to $182,000

Mike Tressel (LB's/Special Teams)-  Raise from $170,000 to $203,000

Harlon Barnett (DB's)- Raise from $170,000 to $203,000

Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi staying at Michigan State

By Sean Gagnier

Michigan State announced on Friday that defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi will be staying with the football team.

Narduzzi had interviewed over the last week with Texas A&M University for the defensive coordinator position which brought with it a substantial pay raise. Reports had put the salary being offered to Narduzzi at $750,000, almost triple what he was making at Michigan State.

But despite the increased salary Narduzzi decided to remain in East Lansing with Coach Mark Dantonio and the Spartans.


"With the success we've had as a football program, especially the last two years, people around the country have taken notice," Narduzzi said in a statement. "So when provided a professional opportunity like Texas A&M, I owed it to my family to investigate it because my first obligation is to take care of my wife and children."


"I share the same feelings that our players and coaches have that there's some unfinished business to take care of here," Narduzzi said. "We're all driven to win the Big Ten Championship and win a Rose Bowl."

Head Coach Mark Dantonio said that pay raises for his coordinators are already in the works but declined to indicate how much Narduzzi or his other coordinators will be making going into the upcoming season. Athletic Director Mark Hollis has previously stated that he has set aside a fund in order to make sure that the coordinators are paid respectably, although he has yet to comment on this latest development.

"We're excited about keeping the coaching staff intact," Dantonio said. "Staff continuity has been a key component in our sustained success. There's no doubt that Pat will be a head coach sometime soon, but for now, we're excited that he remains a Spartan as we continue our pursuit of another Big Ten Championship and our first trip to the Rose Bowl."

Pat Narduzzi staying put - for now

By Sean Gagnier

The University of Akron will have to look elsewhere for its new head coach - Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi recently told the Zips, thanks but no thanks. However, his refusal to head to Ohio doesn't mean Narduzzi isn't still on other short lists across the country.


With departure of Ron Zook from the University of Illinois the Illini look to be very interested in the services of Narduzzi. It also appears as though Pittsburgh is interested in acquiring his services - keep an eye open for them.

Despite the head coach title swirling around him Narduzzi has maintained that his focus is on preparing the Michigan State defense for the Georgia Bulldogs in the upcoming Outback Bowl.

There has been very little said from Michigan State about the future of Narduzzi with the Spartans, with Athletic Director Mark Hollis and Head Coach Mark Dantonio both refusing to make any detailed comments on the subject. Hollis has said that he has set aside an undisclosed amount of money to increase the pay to Dantonio's assistants - something he has been advocating for for years.

This is Narduzzi's fifth year with the Spartans, having come over when Dantonio was named head coach, and the best statistical season for his Spartan defense to date. Despite being attractive to recruits and players as well as presiding over one of the best defenses in the Big Ten, Narduzzi makes only $233,000 a season. A figure that is more than three times lower than many other coordinators of his stature. That being said that is when most coordinators attempt to make the jump to the head coaching position - they aren't sure if they'll ever be in the spotlight again.

With many schools seeking to steal Narduzzi away from Michigan State, Hollis and Dantonio will have to come together after the Outback Bowl and decide on a plan regarding their defensive coordinator - do they do nothing and run the risk of him leaving for a head coaching position or do they offer him an extension on his contract and try to lock him up for the near future.

Regardless of their choice and where Narduzzi eventually lands one thing can be said, it is a good sign when schools come and try to poach coaches from other programs - it means that you're doing something right and they want to try to harness some of your success. While the possible departure of Narduzzi could pose a problem for this Michigan State team the implication of having your offensive coordinator spirited away last year and teams interested in your defensive coordinator means that you have quite the team.