DETROIT – Shortly before midnight, Michigan State’s team busses pulled away from Ford Field for the 90-mile drive back to East Lansing.
The future that awaits the Spartans after they return home is unclear.
Michigan State (4-8, 2-7 Big Ten) was crushed 42-0 by No. 11 Penn State (10-2, 7-2) on Friday night in Detroit. That closed a turbulent season two months after coach Mel Tucker was suspended and fired for cause amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
So, what’s next?
“It’s going to be day-by-day right now because it’s that time of the year,” interim coach Harlon Barnett said. “We’re still trying to figure out who the coach is going to be – Harlon Barnett – but we’re still trying to figure that out but once that gets figured out, it goes from there.”
Barnett continues to pitch himself as the best candidate for the job but also called his 2-8 record running his alma mater “terrible.” Athletic director Alan Haller has had two months to vet candidates and needs to have the next coach in the fold very soon with the transfer portal opening again on Dec. 4 and the recruiting early signing period Dec. 20 to 22.
Prior to the postgame press conference, Haller politely declined to comment about the coaching search when asked by MLive. That’s amid reports the Spartans have targeted Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith to be the next leader of the program with a chance the deal could get done as soon as this weekend.
“No decisions have been made,” Smith said after No. 16 Oregon State lost 31-7 at No. 6 Oregon on Friday night.
Just two year ago, Michigan State completed the biggest single-season turnaround in program history and finished 11-2 with a Peach Bowl win for a spot in the top 10 of the final rankings. The Spartans are 9-15 since and Tucker was removed less than two years after signing a 10-year, $95 million contract extension.
Barnett said he believes it can be a quick turnaround for Michigan State. He also thinks leading a program for the first time in his career would have been different if given a clean slate.
“That’s why I need an opportunity to do it my way from the start, now let’s see what it looks like,” Barnett said. “I know it would be a truly different result.”
Linebacker Aaron Brule was a standout at Mississippi State and, following the 2021 season, joined the Spartans as a graduate transfer. Back-to-back losing seasons to close his college career were not what he envisioned.
“I don’t regret anything,” Brule said. “I don’t regret ever coming here, I don’t regret meeting people I’ve met. I’ve met some of the best people that you could ever meet and I’m sure those relationships will maintain.”
Brule played his final college game Friday night and there are others on the team also out of eligibility. Some players face decisions about declaring for the NFL draft while others will return and there will be departures for the portal.
“I try not to be worried and have anxiety about that because I know who I serve,” running back Nathan Carter said, citing his faith, “and I know who’s in charge of everything.”
Michigan State’s next coach will have to quickly evaluate the roster and attempt to retain key players while also salvaging the next recruiting class. When the Spartans open the 2024 season on Sept. 1 against Florida Atlantic in East Lansing, the team makeup will be a lot different than what was seen Friday night.
“I love this place, I love the school and I’m ready to fight with whoever they bring in,” Carter said. “I’m ready to fight with whatever player, whatever coach they bring in.”
