Mark Dantonio
FILE - Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell prepares to take players onto the field prior to an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio) Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. For Cincinnati (13-0), a member of the second-tier American Athletic Conference, the planets aligned. The Bearcats landed as the No. 4 seed in the CFP, invading the domain of college football's blue bloods. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Cincinnati climbs CFP mountain, but can it stay there?

By Mitch Stacy Dec. 23, 2021 11:34 AM EST

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker, right, is congratulated by athletic director Alan Haller following a 37-33. win over Michigan in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan State gives Mel Tucker a $95 million, 10-year deal

By Larry Lage Nov. 24, 2021 09:45 PM EST

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost argues a call with linesman Bruce Keeling during the second half against Ohio State in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Ohio State defeated Nebraska 26-17. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Coaching stability separates Big Ten from other conferences

By Steve Megargee Nov. 23, 2021 05:06 PM EST

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson cuts up field against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 7 Michigan St looks to stop march of No. 4 Buckeyes

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 18, 2021 03:10 AM EST

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker, right, is congratulated by athletic director Alan Haller following a 37-33. win over Michigan in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Another defining loss for Jim Harbaugh

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 30, 2021 07:53 PM EDT

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker hugs wide receiver Jalen Nailor (8) after they defeated Miami in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Michael Reaves)
Tucker on a roll as No. 17 Michigan State welcomes WKU

By Larry Lage Sep. 30, 2021 01:40 PM EDT

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne, center, scrambles against Nebraska's Garrett Nelson, left, and JoJo Domann (13) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Nebraska at Michigan State 9/25/2021

Sep. 25, 2021 09:09 PM EDT

Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III runs past Northwestern defensive back Bryce Jackson on the way to a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Kenneth Walker, Michigan St looking ahead to Youngstown St

Sep. 09, 2021 12:25 PM EDT

Michigan State names Haller as new athletic director

By Anna Liz Nichols Sep. 01, 2021 01:52 PM EDT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State named football alumnus and deputy athletic director Alan Haller as its 20th athletic director on Wednesday. ...

FILE - In this July 23, 2021, file photo, Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Tucker is entering his second season at Michigan State, but it seems as if he is starting over with an influx of transfers such as former Temple quarterback Anthony Russo. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Michigan State leaves Northwestern guessing as it prepares

By Larry Lage Aug. 31, 2021 04:58 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 24, 2021, file photo, Michigan State quarterback Anthony Russo runs to his position during an NCAA college football scrimmage in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker is entering his second season at Michigan State, but it seems as if he is starting over with an influx of transfers such as former Temple quarterback Anthony Russo. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Tucker has 20 transfers to help Michigan State's turnaround

By Larry Lage Aug. 16, 2021 08:43 PM EDT

FILE - Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker runs onto the field before the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana in East Lansing, Mich., in this Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, file photo. In a season of video conferences and empty seats, new Michigan State coach Mel Tucker is doing his best to help people get to know him. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Tucker trying (remotely) to help people get to know him

By Noah Trister Dec. 09, 2020 05:33 PM EST

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker pumps his fist after the team defeated Michigan in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Blowout loss puts Tucker's culture to the test for Spartans

By Noah Trister Nov. 11, 2020 05:26 PM EST

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) is sacked by Iowa defensive lineman Chauncey Golston (57) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
An ugly day for both the Wolverines and Spartans

By Noah Trister Nov. 07, 2020 08:16 PM EST

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz questions a call against his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Spartans riding momentum heading into game at winless Iowa

By Eric Olson Nov. 05, 2020 04:43 PM EST

Rutgers linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi (3) knocks the ball away from Michigan State running back Jordan Simmons (22) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 13 Michigan hosts Michigan State in fan-free Big House

By Noah Trister Oct. 29, 2020 01:08 PM EDT

Rutgers defensive lineman Julius Turner (50) tackles Michigan State running back Connor Heyward (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Loss to Rutgers shows how far Michigan State has to go

By Noah Trister Oct. 27, 2020 05:53 PM EDT

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs the ball during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Clemson, S.C., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Heisman race begins as Fields enters

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 24, 2020 09:41 PM EDT

Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano, with a mask, is hugged by an assistant after his team defeated Michigan State in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Rutgers snaps Big Ten skid, beats Michigan State 38-27

By Noah Trister Oct. 24, 2020 03:45 PM EDT

Mel Tucker, Michigan State's new football coach, speaks during a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Tucker, Schiano ready for opener between Spartans, Rutgers

By Noah Trister Oct. 22, 2020 12:33 PM EDT