Blame it on players who were either too undisciplined to stay out of trouble or too lacking in heart to buckle down and play with abandon when it really mattered. Blame it on a program reputation that can't possibly hope to compete with that other school for the best in-state prospects (and let's not kid ourselves, Sparty doesn't have a chance in the football player factories). Blame it on commentators and fans who predicted a second-half collapse each season and then patted themselves on the back when it occurred. Blame it on assistant coaches who, from a fan's perspective, didn't seem capable of realizing the potential brought in by a head coach. Or blame it on a head coach who seemed incapable of whupping his team's ass when they were in need of it.
These are all aspects of John L. Smith's tenure as Michigan State's head coach. But these are only concerns for historians now, as Sparty has decided to take a different path next year. So, as this post's title notes, the Green and White will be lead by their fourth coach in twelve years next season.
Some say this was inevitable and the program really doesn't have what it takes to be great. As a long suffering fan of State, not to mention an alumnus, I pray this isn't the case and hope that it's just going to take a coach who brings innovation in more than just offensive scheme to turn things around. I wonder if Coach Kelly would be interested in moving up another rung to a big time conference.
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