EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – It's no secret that the Michigan State University football team has struggled defensively. For the past three seasons, the Spartans have finished last or second-to-last in the Big Ten in yards allowed per game. Now with a new coaching staff and key defensive returners like Jordan Hall and Jaden Mangum, the players are already noticing some differences that should help them improve.
“We have a deeper connection with the defense,” Hall said. “Like I said, we meet every day to make sure we're all on the same page. Not to discredit the staff, but I feel like we've bonded more in that sense this year, and everyone understands their role.”
“We're going faster,” Mangum said. I can't say I did it last year, I'm doing it again this year. ”
Offensive line coach and run game specialist Jim Michalczyk was one of the many coaches to follow Jonathan Smith to East Lansing. And aside from continuing to work for Smith, who Michalczyk had high praise for when he met with WLNS on Tuesday, the Michigan State job was special for another reason.
“My mom is an alumnus, so I grew up hearing about the Spartans. I'm a West Coast kid, I've spent my whole life on the West Coast, and my mom always talked about the Spartans and the Big Ten,” he said. There was a part like that, “I was able to do it,'' Michalczyk said.
To attack all three levels of defense, offense and special teams, Smith also made sure to mention how punter Ryan Eckley has been “dropping bombs in practice” in and out over the past few days.
