The idea of needing to look back to move forward never fully clicked with me until I heard Jonathan Smith, the new Michigan State football coach, at the 2024 Big Ten Media Days.
In his first address to the Big Ten media, Smith laid out his guiding principle for the program: “Low ego, high output.”
While this philosophy isn’t new, Smith’s description of the kind of players he wants for the program—those with a chip on their shoulder, driven, competitive, and eager to win—felt strikingly reminiscent of Mark Dantonio’s approach.
Talked with Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith at B1G media day about rebuilding the Spartans back into a powerhouse.
“We want guys, for whatever reasons, with chips on their shoulders That they’re motivated, that they want to be competitive, to compete and win. And they… pic.twitter.com/pjDFznZBcQ
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) July 24, 2024
Dantonio built his success at Michigan State by recruiting players who felt slighted by other teams, particularly from in-state and Ohio, and who played with a strong sense of motivation and defiance. This strategy led to Michigan State’s notable success from roughly 2009 to 2017.
It appears Smith is embracing Dantonio’s mindset, whether from his own research or personal belief (likely a mix of both).
The last time Michigan State enjoyed prolonged success was when they recruited underappreciated, hungry players with a strong drive. Smith’s return to this Dantonio-style coaching is a promising development.
Let’s hope it leads to similar on-field success.
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