Michigan State football coaching search: 5 leading candidates to replace Mark Dantonio

2. Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh head coach

Narduzzi has a 36-29 record over five seasons a Pitt, with four bowl appearances. Prior to taking that job, he was the defensive coordinator under Dantonio at both Michigan State (2007-2014) and Cincinnati (2004-2006).

When things began to go off the rails for Dantonio after a 3-9 campaign in 2016, Yahoo’s Pete Thamel pointed easily to Narduzzi as a candidate to come back and step in as head coach. Now that Dantonio is gone, on his own motivation and with slick timing, Narduzzi’s name has naturally resurfaced, according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman.

Narduzzi’s defenses at Pitt haven’t been nearly as good as the units he led at Michigan State, which is a concern as much as it is a likely product of lesser talent being available. But he does know Michigan State’s recruiting ground well, with program familiarity and ample experience.

Narduzzi surfaced as an early candidate to be the next head coach at Rutgers last season when Chris Ash was in line to be fired. That move never felt likely though, as a clear step down from Pitt, and Narduzzi naturally dismissed the connection.

But this is a different case. The fit is pretty clear, and if Narduzzi has any desire to leave Pitt right now Michigan State is surely one of the only jobs he’d do it for.