Michigan State began the process of terminating Mel Tucker with cause on September 18th following reports of alleged sexual harassment, and his official firing came on September 27th.
Alumnus and longtime defensive assistant Harlon Barnett took over the Spartans as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season, leading the Spartans to a 2-8 finish on the year.
The search in East Lansing ultimately landed on Oregon State's Jonathan Smith, who built the Beavers into a top 25 team.
Much of the Oregon State staff is coming with Smith. Here's a look at how the staff is coming together, as we continue to collect various reports, and the previous staff under Tucker.
OFFENSE
- OC / QBs - Brian Lindgren
(Oregon State OC / QBs) - RBs - Keith Bhonapha
(Oregon State RBs) - TEs - Brian Wozniak
(Oregon State TEs) - OL - Jim Michalczik
(Oregon State OL) - WRs - Courtney Hawkins
(Michigan State WRs)
DEFENSE
- DC / LBs - Joe Rossi
(Minnesota DC) - Rush Ends / Co-STC - Chad Wilt
(Indiana Co-DC) - DBs - Blue Adams
(Oregon State DBs) - Demetrice Martin
(Oregon CBs) - DL - Legi Suiaunoa
(Oregon State DL)
SPECIAL TEAMS
- Co-Special Teams Coordinator / Rush Ends - Chad Wilt
(Indiana Co-DC)
SUPPORT STAFF:
Mike McDonald - Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
Cole Moore - Director of Player Personnel
(Oregon State Director of Player Personnel)
Dan Van De Riet - Director of Football Operations
(Oregon State Director of Football Operations)
2023 STAFF
Head Coach: Mel Tucker
20-14 overall (12-13 in Big Ten Play)
OFFENSE
- Chris Kapilovic - AHC / OL
- Jay Johnson - OC / QBs
- Ted Gilmore - TEs
- Courtney Hawkins - WRs
- Effrem Reed - RBs
DEFENSE
- Scottie Hazelton - DC / LBs
- Harlon Barnett - Interim HC / Secondary
- Diron Reynolds - DL
- Jim Salgado - CBs
- Ross Els - Nickels / STC
SPECIAL TEAMS
- Ross Els - STC / Nickels
SUPPORT STAFF
Erik Highsmith - Offensive Analyst
TJ Hollowell - Defensive Analyst
Nick Ruffin - Offensive Analyst
Thomas Wells - Special Teams Analyst
Darius Sims - Defensive Analyst
Jason Novak - Head Strength and Conditioning
Taylor Porter - Assistant S&C
Joe Powell - Assistant S&C
Shawuille Lee - Assistant S&C
Paul Cipriano - Assistant S&C
Dr. Bill Burghardt - Director of Sports Science
Cody Cox - Assistant AD / Football Administration
Ben Mathers - Director of Football Operations
Mark Diethorn - Executive Director of Player Personnel / Recruiting
Simone Proulx - Director of Football Administration
Grant Klaver - Special Assistant to the Head Coach
Kurt Richardson - Director of Player Engagement
Chaz Davis - Assistant DFO
Sean Levy - Director of Player Personnel
Darius Hicks - Director of Scouting
Tyler Johnson - Director of Recruiting Operations
Lino Lupinetti - Assistant Director of Player Personnel
Tyler Johnson - Director of Recruiting Operations
Sam Kukura - Assistant Director of Player Personnel
Jenna Learn - Director of On-Campus Recruiting
Ty Woodruff - Director of Football Technology
Colin Ludema - Director of Football Creative Video
Davis Walker - Assistant Director of Football Technology
Dylan Gray - Assistant Director of Football Creative
Derek Blalock - Director of Football Creative
Matthew Whipple - Assistant Director of Football Creative
Bo Els - GA Defense
Antjuan Simmons - GA Defense
Jacob Lail - GA Offense
Tino Smith - GA Offense
Jake Reiling - Offensive Assistant
Zack Wojcik - Defensive Assistant
Mason Ruddy - Special Teams Assistant
Andrew Kolpacki - Head Football Equipment Manager