Michigan State football: Rumored head coaching candidates list is ugly

Michigan State football fans got to see a rumored list of potential head coaching candidates on Thursday and it wasn’t pretty.

Ever since Mel Tucker found himself in hot water for a sexual harassment case against him and it was made public, Michigan State football fans have been coming up with potential head coaching candidates to replace him. Even before he was officially fired, fans and college football experts had lists of names that the Spartans should consider.

Up to this point, it’s been all speculation.

However, a report from a reputable source came out on Thursday night with a list of six names that Michigan State is reportedly looking at.

Brett McMurphy of The Action Network revealed a list of rumored candidates for Michigan State on Thursday night and, well, it wasn’t pretty. Heck, it was pretty ugly with half the names causing a negative reaction from Spartan fans.

Just take a look.

Michigan State candidates, source told @ActionNetworkHQ.

Mike Elko, Duke
Dan Enos, Arkansas OC
Matt House, LSU DC
Charles Huff, Marshall
Pat Narduzzi, Pitt
Mike Tressel, Wisconsin DC

All of them played or coached at MSU, except Elko & Huff

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) September 28, 2023

Woof.

Do I believe this list is accurate? I could see a couple of names on there being legit, but there’s just no way that Michigan State is realistically looking at guys like Dan Enos, Pat Narduzzi, and Mike Tressel. Enos was 26-36 as a head coach for Central Michigan and never got another chance, Narduzzi has been pretty average at Pitt, and Tressel has never been a head coach. Add in Matt House who hasn’t really been rumored as a candidate and you have four guys right there who don’t make much sense.

Rumor has it Michigan State is looking for a coach with experience and a track record of success as a head coach. Narduzzi may loosely fit that bill, but I think Mike Elko may be the best option there, fitting that description. I also like Charles Huff.

Hopefully this list is all smoke and no fire, though. I can live with Elko and Huff, but if Michigan State football hires Narduzzi, Enox, Tressel, or House, there may be a revolt in the fanbase.