ESPN College Football

In some ways, social media is often a popularity contest. And few fare better in popularity contests than Notre Dame, which attracts attention like no other on an annual basis, win or lose.

The latest example comes from the Tulsa World's Kelly Hines, who compiled a list of college football coaches by Twitter followers.

No. 2 on the list? Brian Kelly.

The fourth-year Irish coach has 91,042 Twitter followers as of the writing, trailing only LSU's Les Miles, who has 105,760.

Anyone who has seen Miles live-tweet a sporting event in the past should not be all that surprised, given the Tigers coach's seemingly unfiltered thoughts on everything.

Kelly's successor at Cincinnati, new Tennessee coach Butch Jones, checks in at No. 3 on the list, at 75,300 followers.

Other coaches of interest to Notre Dame fans are USC's Lane Kiffin (18th, 29,790), Kansas' Charlie Weis (28th, 17,460), MSU's Mark Dantonio (39th, 9,425), BYU's Bronco Mendenhall (53rd, 4,560), Nevada's Brian Polian (60th, 3,046), Temple's Matt Rhule (66th, 2,289), UMass' Charley Molnar (76th, 1,548) and Navy's Ken Niumatalolo (84th, 837).

Even before the Big Ten announced its new East-West division alignment, the complaints were rolling in from Sparta (read: East Lansing, Mich.). The angst only increased when the divisions became official.

No Big Ten fan base has more outrage about the new divisions than Michigan State's. Spartans supporters wanted to be in the West, away from the Michigan-Ohio State-Penn State triumvirate. They wanted to be in Chicago as much as possible, an area athletic director Mark Hollis has talked about often as a major concentration for MSU fans and alums.

Put us in the West, they said, keep the annual crossover with Michigan and achieve competitive balance. It's so simple!

But the Big Ten brass thought otherwise, assigning divisions based primarily on geography. Michigan State, located in the Eastern portion of the league, joined the three traditional powers -- along with Indiana, Rutgers and Maryland -- in the East division.

To some Spartans fans, the division assignment is the Big Ten's latest dig at their program. Who can forget the great BCS screw job of 2010, where Ohio State, a team we learned later had knowingly violated NCAA rules, went to the Sugar Bowl ahead of a Michigan State squad that had beaten Rose Bowl participant Wisconsin. The following year, a Spartans team that came yards away from a Big Ten championship once again missed a BCS bowl, while its top rival Michigan -- a team Michigan State had defeated earlier that season -- went to the Sugar Bowl.

There's also the general feeling among a portion of MSU fans that the Big Ten always favors Michigan and Ohio State in key decisions.

From my inbox:

Max from Grosse Point, Mich: I just finished reading your interview with Jim Delany and couldn't believe it. His bias for the "protected" schools is clearly evident and disgusting. Do you think it is time for the other schools to band together and remove him?From a MSU fans seat it is obvious that there is not a level playing field in the Big Ten. Waiting until after the Bowl season to force osu to forfeit cost us a Rose Bowl trip. Phantom whistles again vs osu cost us a touchdown and the game last year. Blocking too "hard" vs Nebraska cost us another touchdown and game. It goes on and on.Is there any hope?

David from Henderson, Nev.: I was 26 years old when I made my first (and only) trip to the Rose Bowl to watch the Spartans play. If someone had told me then that MSU wouldn't be back to play in Pasadeener (as JoePa pronounced it) in the next 25 years I would have thought they were crazy. Now after seeing the official realignment, it certainly appears that a return trip will be even more difficult than ever. What are the odds that I will be able to watch MSU play in the Rose Bowl sometime in the NEXT 25 years?

I understand Max's and David's frustration. And there are others who feel similarly. Tuesday afternoon, I caught the end of "The Drive with Jack Ebling," a popular radio show in Lansing, Mich. The word "panic" was used quite a few times to describe the current state of Spartan Nation.

Panic if you'd like, Spartan fans. Complain about the Big Ten's bias against your school. Shout to the heavens about all the perks Ohio State and Michigan seem to get. It's your right to do so.

Or you can embrace the challenge of the East division. Because there's no better platform for Michigan State to find out exactly where its program stands right now.

Michigan State is enjoying its most successful stretch in years under coach Mark Dantonio. The Spartans have a team-record six consecutive bowl appearances under Dantonio. They recorded back-to-back 11-win seasons for the first time in team history in 2010 and 2011, claimed a share of the Big Ten title for the first time in 20 years in 2010, and won the inaugural Legends Division championship the following year.

Many non-MSU fans irked by the potential imbalance of the divisions mention "four power programs" in the East, including Michigan State alongside Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. Whether that's true or not is up for debate -- some argue Michigan State is a superior program to Wisconsin, which is simply false -- but no one would be making that case five years ago. It's a testament to Dantonio and what he has done in East Lansing.

So embrace the difficulty of the East. Don't run away from the tougher road to Indianapolis.

"You have to take risk in order to have great opportunities," Hollis told Ebling's show on WVFN radio Tuesday. "There's a couple ways you look at things, half-full or half empty. I applaud fans' persepctive and I'm glad many of them express how they feel. At the same time, I always say you are who you walk with. You are who you play against.

"I very much want to be in a conglomerate of the best of the best."

Hollis has the right approach. Whether or not he pushed to get Michigan State in the West Division -- and I'm told he did -- he recognizes what having success in the East can do for a program still fighting for national respect in some circles.

Despite Michigan State's recent run of consistency, some can't get past the fact it began as Michigan sunk to historic lows under Rich Rodriguez. There's a belief that as Brady Hoke makes Michigan into Michigan again -- through recruiting and on-field performance -- Michigan State's program will backslide.

Michigan State can beat Michigan every year in the East. It can also take on Ohio State and Penn State every year. Time to panic? No. Time to perform? Absolutely.

"Michigan and Ohio State have historically been great foes against Michigan State," Hollis told the radio show. "They will continue to be. Those are the ballgames you want to see take place in Spartan Stadium. I'm ready to face it head-on."

Asked about the concern of some Spartans fans, Hollis said, "I understand how some could come to that conclusion, but I think as you walk through it and as you look at the opportunities Michigan State's going to have, you get pretty darn excited about what our future is going to look like."

He's excited. Michigan State fans should be, too.

The Big Ten's move to a nine-game conference schedule has all kinds of ramifications. One that must be figured out quickly, at both Michigan State and Purdue, is how it will affect those schools' annual rivalry with Notre Dame.

Both the Spartans and the Boilermakers really want to keep playing the Irish every year (remember, Notre Dame and Michigan will officially change their relationship status to "on a break" after this season). But there are some issues to resolve.

Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis told the Detroit Free Press that he's been in talks with Notre Dame counterpart Jack Swarbrick the past couple of weeks. Meanwhile, Purdue AD Morgan Burke told the Lafayette Journal and Courier that he plans to meet with Swarbrick soon to discuss the future of that series.

Both the Spartans and Boilermakers need seven home games each year to make their budget. When the nine-league game schedule begins in 2016, teams in the East -- that includes Michigan State -- will play five conference home games. Teams in the West -- which includes Purdue -- will play four that year and five in 2017.

Purdue is scheduled to go to Notre Dame in 2016 and other even years when it has five Big Ten road games. That means Purdue could only play six home games in those years.

"I cannot balance the budget on six home games. Can’t do it. It doesn’t work," Burke told the Journal and Courier. "That’s the cold-hearted realities of the business we run. Our business model is built on seven home games. Everybody’s. Notre Dame’s too."

Michigan State is scheduled to host Notre Dame in 2016 and go to South Bend in 2017. So can't the Spartans and Boilermakers just flip? That would seem to make sense, if all parties are on board and can work it out. But Michigan State already has a road trip at Alabama on the schedule in 2016, and playing both the Irish and Crimson Tide on the road in the same season can't sound too appealing to Mark Dantonio. Notre Dame has its own obligations, including its new five-games-per-year deal with the ACC.

Michigan State and Notre Dame are scheduled to meet through 2032 in installments of four straight games followed by two-year breaks. The 2016 game is the first of a new four consecutive game streak. The two could switch up years if 2016 can't be worked out, but Hollis is confident the teams will keep playing.

"You’ll see a high degree of cooperation," Hollis said. "We’re both interested in keeping this series intact."

Purdue, meanwhile, has played Notre Dame every year since 1946 and has a contract to do so through 2021. The Boilers put a ton of value on their annual game against the Irish.

"I don’t think either one of us is eager to lose the rivalry," Burke said. "If it turns out we have to have a short break, we’ll have a short break in order to get on the right rotation. I don’t think we’re in a situation where Notre Dame and Purdue will never play. The issue is whether we can come up with a rotation that works for both sides."

And it's just one major ramification from the new Big Ten nine-game conference schedule.

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- As the starting quarterback for the nation's 95th ranked offense, Michigan State's Andrew Maxwell understands why he's in the crosshairs.

More arrows fly in his direction than, say, the wide receivers who drop passes or the offensive linemen who didn't generate enough push in the red zone. That's just the way it goes. And Maxwell owns it.

"I look at myself and say, 'Were there areas I could improve?' Sure," Maxwell said. "Seeing just how those little things can result in a loss, can result in a 7-6 season, I realize and this whole team realizes that there's no room for that."

Maxwell knows that if he retains his starting job -- hardly a guarantee at this stage, as Connor Cook continues to push him -- he'll absorb the brunt of the credit or blame for how the unit performs this season. The accountability scale outside the program always leans more toward the head coach, the offensive coordinator and the quarterback.

But inside the program, Maxwell, as a team leader, wants to create a balance of accountability as Michigan State seeks to improve upon a disappointing season in 2012.

"I told my lift group, 'When you step over the white line and onto the practice field, you've got to realize everything we do is business,'" Maxwell told ESPN.com. "Accountability has to come before friendship. Accountability has to come before somebody's feelings. That's going to help us with the little details, the little inches.

"If we can create a culture of accountability and have players hold players responsible, we'll be a lot better suited to find those inches and those details."

Maxwell tried to take the same approach last season, but was hesitant to demand accountability.

"It's your first year and a lot of guys you're playing with had been there before," he said. "Whether I consciously made that decision or not, looking back, certainly there were some areas where every one of us could have done a better job of doing that."

Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio never has doubted Maxwell's ability to be accountable. His maturity and two years as Kirk Cousins' understudy put him in a good spot to step in as the starter last season.

But a player gains greater perspective after he's "in the soup," as Dantonio puts it. And Maxwell found himself there more often than not in 2012, when he completed just 52.5 percent of his pass attempts. Although Maxwell's overall passing numbers (2,606 yards, 13 touchdowns, nine interceptions) put him in the middle of the pack of the pass-challenged Big Ten, Michigan State finished 108th nationally in scoring and dropped five Big Ten games by a total of 13 points.

"There are stress points," Dantonio said. "A young person who's 20 or 21 yards old is often times critiqued when things don't quite as well. It's hard to identify who that offensive guard was, but everybody knows who the quarterback is. He gets more than his share of the praise, certainly, but he gets his share of the criticism, also.

"He understands that's part of the deal, having gone through this once. He's been able to refocus and recenter himself, and now he gets to start over perse, begin fresh and right the ship a little bit."

Teammates noticed a change in Maxwell during spring practice.

"Definitely stronger, definitely stronger," Spartans offensive tackle Fou Fonoti said. "He uses all that pressure that he's under and turns it into constructive criticism. He has a new demeanor about him. He just wants to get out there and go. I'm excited to see that rage in his heart, that fire in heart. It should be exciting."

Maxwell is clear about last season -- "When you go 7-6, certainly that's no one's goal" -- but the adversity seems to have shifted his perspective as a leader.

"I do feel like I have a little extra fire, a little extra passion for it this year," he said. "That's what you need to be successful."

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi didn't want to nag any more.

Narduzzi always had told his defenders exactly what they needed to do to become an elite unit. He shaped the identity of the unit, rather than the players themselves.

"It's like your mother telling you to make your bed before 8 o'clock, 'Don't come down and eat breakfast, do this and do this,' " Narduzzi told ESPN.com. "And you're going, 'C'mon, Mom, can't I eat breakfast first and then make my bed?' Well, me coming in there and telling them all those things is the same."

Several years ago, Narduzzi put the players' identity in their own hands. He no longer would outline the traits that would make them a great unit. The defenders met as a group and brainstormed the core values they wanted to display on the field.

"When people watch you on tape, when people watch you on Saturday afternoons on ESPN, what are they saying about you?" Narduzzi told the players. "Are they saying, 'Look at these guys. They look confused.' Or are they saying, 'They're playing fast.' "

They chose a nickname -- Spartan Dawgs -- and a list of terms that best reflected their goals. The final product is a blueprint for a defense that has come to define the Michigan State program in recent years.

It can be found in meeting rooms, players' binders and in the locker room before games.

"We all come up with some things we can go by, stuff we need to do during the game, which is dominate, which is create turnovers, which is making plays," senior cornerback Darqueze Dennard said. "Stuff like that can motivate us and give us a guideline for how we come into each game.

"We've got a nice poster with the Spartan Dawgs, the goals and a little mean dog. It's kinda cool."

Defensive lineman Tyler Hoover, a studio art major, designed last year's poster, which features a dog wearing a Spartans logo on a chain. The dog's bowl includes a Big Ten championship ring and the words "Everybody eats."

The poster defines Spartan Dawgs as: "An Elite Group United to Wreak Havoc, Instill Fear and Dominate the Country." Below are words like relentless, nasty, swarming, devastating, turnovers and dominating. The poster ends with the words: TURN UP.

The 2011 poster was similar, and included the statement: We will set the standard nationally for the most reckless, disruptive force unleashed on any team. It's not exactly Shakespeare, who in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" wrote about the "hounds of Sparta" -- So flew'd, so sanded, and their heads are hung/With ears that sweep away the morning dew;/Crook-knee'd, and dew-lapp'd like Thessalian bulls -- but it works for the players.

"We run out of synonyms, to be honest," senior linebacker Max Bullough said. "We have a good idea of what we want to do, where we want to be. It's just adding little flakes here and there, having different guys on the team and who's going to step up and say, 'This is what we should have on it.'

"It's pretty similar each year."

So are the results of the Spartans' defense. Michigan State finished fourth nationally in total defense last season (274.4 ypg) after placing sixth in 2011 (277.4 ypg). The unit also has ranked in the top 10 nationally in both points allowed and rushing yards allowed in each of the past two seasons. Last year, Michigan State finished third nationally in pass efficiency defense.

A high standard has been set, but the Spartans expect to reach it again this season. Seven defensive starters return, including two 2012 first-team All-Big Ten selections in Bullough and Dennard, along with honorable-mention selections in safety Isaiah Lewis, linebacker Denicos Allen and end Marcus Rush. The Spartans boast one of the deepest secondaries in the country, a veteran linebacking corps and several potential stars up front like Shilique Calhoun, who locked up a starting end spot opposite rush this spring.

"We have an experienced secondary coming back, an experienced defense coming back," Lewis said. "I'm just expecting what everybody else is expecting, to come out and dominate other teams."

The defense has areas that can be improved, such as generating more sacks (tied for 93rd nationally last season, 1.54 per game) and takeaways (tied for 73rd with 20). But asked what the next phase is for the defense, Narduzzi replied, "Keep doing what we're doing."

The Spartans have evolved into an elite defense under Narduzzi and coach Mark Dantonio, a former defensive assistant at four FBS schools, including Michigan State (defensive backs, 1995-2000) and Ohio State (defensive coordinator, 2001-03). But they weren't always that way.

Michigan State finished 31st, 58th, 73rd and 43rd in defense during Dantonio's first four seasons as coach. The Narduzzi/Dantonio-led defenses at Cincinnati from 2004 to 2006 were decent but not special, finishing no higher than 31st nationally.

Dantonio identifies three factors that have helped the Spartans' defense reach nationally elite status: stronger recruiting/player development, staff continuity, and players who have experienced success and know the standard.

"We've got players who have excelled in the past, and success breeds success," Dantonio said. "When they have the same teacher, and that same base concept stays the same, over a period of time you begin to handle it more efficiently. I think that's happened to our football team. It doesn't mean we don't have breakdowns. We do. But we're able to overcome those, and we’re able to play with a lot of confidence and we're able to play fast.

"Any time you can do those two things ... you can be successful."

The same teacher is Narduzzi, who has served as Dantonio's defensive coordinator throughout his head-coaching career. Despite being courted by Texas A&M after the 2011 season and being mentioned for several head-coaching vacancies, he'll remain with the Spartans for a seventh season this fall.

Assistants Harlon Barnett (secondary) and Mike Tressel (linebackers) also came with Dantonio and Narduzzi from Cincinnati. The defensive staff had its first change this past offseason, when line coach Ron Burton replaced Ted Gill.

"There's something to be said about that," Bullough said. "You can play fast, you know the defense, you don't have to worry about the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

Michigan State's defense wasn't the reason the team backslid from 11 wins in 2011 to seven last season. The unit made strides in most major statistical categories and played arguably at a championship level. But it wasn't perfect, and with Michigan State's offense sputtering -- the Spartans finished 108th in scoring and 95th in total yards -- it cost the team. They dropped five Big Ten games by a total of 13 points.

There's a concern that the gap between the defense and the offense will create splintering, but Dennard says the Spartans "never got divided." Still, the offensive players know they must make up some ground this offseason.

"Each day, going to practice is a challenge for us," offensive tackle Fou Fonoti said. "Seeing them play with the amount of emotion, and you see Coach Narduzzi, it puts that fire for us. We've got to execute better, so we're trying to feed off of that."

This year's Spartan Dawgs blueprint should be finalized soon. One word likely to appear, if Lewis has a say, is nastiness.

Barnett has a picture of The Incredible Hulk on the wall of the defensive backs' meeting room and encourages his players to "bring the other guy out."

"I'm a nice guy off the field, but when you step on that field, you aren't that nice guy any more," Lewis said. "You've got to bring out that other side. ... Just a nasty guy, somebody mean, somebody angry."

Somebody striving to be the best.

"We want to be the No. 1 defense, we want to be the talk of the nation," Dennard said. "We take so much pride in that. None of us forget the blueprint."

Brothers Riley and Max Bullough looked forward to playing together this year at Michigan State. What they didn't envision was that one would have to tackle the other in practice.

But that's what happened last week, when the Spartans gave Riley -- a redshirt freshman who had been backing up Max at middle linebacker -- a shot at tailback. Suddenly, the brothers were pitted against one another and knocking heads on running plays.

"We're both very competitive," Riley told ESPN.com. "It's definitely something to see."

Putting the younger Bullough in the backfield was a surprising sight. Riley said he hasn't played running back since early in his freshman year of high school, though he was a prep quarterback who was used to having the ball in his hands. He also emulated Iowa's Mark Weisman on the scout team last year. Most assumed he'd follow the same path as Max, who is an All-Big Ten linebacker and future pro at the position.

But Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio has auditioned several players at tailback this spring as he seeks a replacement for Le'Veon Bell. And Riley scored two touchdowns -- both on 1-yard runs -- in last Saturday's scrimmage.

"It was a big adjustment at first, but my whole life I've played offense, so I was kind of used to it," he said. "I've got a lot to learn, but the guys on offense are helping me a lot. I'm going to play running back a little bit more this week, and hopefully some in the spring game."

Riley is big for a running back at 6-foot-2 and 232 pounds, but then again, so was Bell. Riley hasn't exactly been leaping over people like Bell so far in practice.

"Being 230 pounds does help out, especially going against our defense," he said. "They're a powerful defense. I'm not trying to juke anybody right now. I'm just trying to hit the hole as fast and as low as I can."

Not surprisingly, Riley views himself as a downhill power runner, but says he's got more speed than people might think, though his shake-and-bake moves are a little rusty.

Running backs are not a new thing in the family. His grandfather, Jim Morse, played halfback at Notre Dame in the '50s, and his uncle, Bobby Morse, was a Spartans fullback in the '80s. Riley said Bobby Morse will be at Saturday's spring game, and he plans to pick his brain about the running back position.

Michigan State is still using Riley at linebacker in practice, too, so he's learning both positions. Is his older brother jealous that he gets to play with the ball in his hands?

"He's a defensive guy through and through; always has been," Riley said of Max. "He was just as pumped as I was when I first told him about it."

Max is known as one of the smartest players around, and Riley said his brother's football IQ is so high that he can even give him tips on the offensive scheme. Even if Riley ends up on defense, he thinks this experience will help his own understanding of the game.

"I'm kind of learning some of the schemes and how offense work in general," he said. "Going back on defense, I can picture in my head the entire play, not just what the defense is doing. So that helps a ton when you're trying to play linebacker."

For now, he's a two-way player. Even if that means running into his brother on occasion in practice.

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Andrew Maxwell knew things would be different when he stepped into the Spartan Stadium spotlight last August for his first start at quarterback.

The packed crowd, the bright lights and the national TV cameras told him so.

But the Michigan State signal-caller needed one final reminder from a Boise State defensive end, who hit him just after he released a pass.

"I almost forgot that was an option," he told ESPN.com. "Because going through spring, going through camp, it's all been tag-off. The D-end put a good move on our tackle and I let it go and got hit in the ribs.

"I got up and went, 'Oh, that's a possibility.'"

As a backup quarterback for two years who played sparingly in games, Maxwell was treated somewhat like a piece of artwork: look but don't touch. Although he had taken some hits -- the 2011 Capital One Bowl against Alabama was a particularly painful day -- his typical week consisted of wearing a red jersey in practice (indicating he's off limits) and holding a clipboard on Saturday.

Everything changed last season during games, and Michigan State has taken the unusual step of making Maxwell and the other quarterbacks "live" -- able to be hit -- during spring practice as the team looks for its answers under center for the 2013 season. Maxwell, Connor Cook, Tyler O'Connor and the other signal-callers have traded in their red jerseys for green ones, just like the other offensive players, as they compete for the starting job. Most FBS teams keep their quarterbacks off limits in all practices, to preserve their safety as much as possible.

Michigan State actually began making the quarterbacks live during practices for the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl and carried things over to the spring.

"I didn't want to," head coach Mark Dantonio told ESPN.com, "but we've done it because that's what's needed to push the envelope. We didn't do that before, and it hurt us last year because [Maxwell] hadn't been in as many game situations. We've been active, but we've gone, 'OK, go ahead.'

"There's some things we need to do, and the quarterbacks are going to have to take the hit."

Added co-offensive coordinator (play-caller) Dave Warner: "It's the best way to find out if quarterbacks can extend plays and create and do the things we probably didn't do a good job of last year."

Dantonio isn't concerned about the quarterbacks taking too much pounding. He noted that in a recent practice the quarterbacks were only brought down a total of 14 times.

"But there's a possibility of them getting hit, so it's forcing their hand a little faster to make quicker decisions," Dantonio said. "That's what the game's all about."

Maxwell said in hindsight, going live in practices before the 2012 season could have helped him as a first-time starter.

"You really don't know how much time you have unless you have a guy who's actually going to bring you to the ground," Maxwell said. "When you have the red jersey on and you know you're not live, you may subconsciously give yourself an extra second that, in reality, you don't have.

"But when it's live and the possibility is there, you're making your decisions that much quicker."

Maxwell doesn't think he held the ball too long last season, but he understands the main offseason directive coming from Dantonio and the other coaches: create. The coaches want Maxwell and the other quarterbacks to scramble when a play isn't developing or buy time for receivers to get open.

"We as quarterbacks need to pose a threat and be dangerous with our feet," Maxwell said. "I'm not saying we're going to be rushing for 100 yards a game, but when things break down, if you can go north for five yards, second-and-5 is a lot better than second-and-10."

Former Michigan State offensive coordinator Dan Roushar undoubtedly absorbed the brunt of the criticism for the unit's struggles in 2012.

But starting quarterback Andrew Maxwell wasn't far behind.

Seemingly the perfect successor to Kirk Cousins, both in skill set and personality, Maxwell traveled a bumpy road in his first season at the controls. He finished fourth in the Big Ten in passing (200.5 yards per game) but completed just 52.5 percent of his passes with 13 touchdown strikes and nine interceptions. His quarterback rating of 107.1 didn't rank among the top 100 passers nationally.

Although the junior started all 13 games for the Spartans, he was replaced by Connor Cook in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl win against TCU. When Michigan State revamped the offensive staff following Roushar's departure to the New Orleans Saints, a quarterback competition this spring would seem to be a logical step as the unit tries to get back on track.

There will be competition, head coach Mark Dantonio told ESPN.com on Thursday, but Maxwell will enter spring practice, which kicks off Tuesday, as the starter. One other thing: Dantonio remains very much in Maxwell's corner.

"He's our No. 1 quarterback based on his leadership, based on his experience," Dantonio said. "He's a proven commodity in terms of his value as a person. His leadership value, getting us into the right play, knowledge of the system. He needs to just create more when things break down. That's the next step. But he's a great person.

"We're all going to have some storms we've got to beat and work through."

Maxwell will compete with Cook and Tyler O'Connor this spring. Highly touted incoming freshman Damion Terry arrives this summer for preseason camp.

Getting the quarterbacks more help is a priority this spring as Michigan State loses its top two offensive weapons -- running back Le'Veon Bell and tight end Dion Sims -- to the NFL draft. Three players will compete this spring at running back -- Nick Hill, Jeremy Langford and Nick Tompkins -- and Michigan State returns its entire receiving corps, an oft-criticized group in 2012. Dantonio also is excited about the potential of the offensive line, calling it "one of the strengths of our team."

The coach reiterated that while quarterbacks take the brunt of the blame when things don't go well, there are other factors involved.

"Obviously, we need to get better," he said. "But I'll stand beside [Maxwell]."

Some would see Michigan State's offense as needing a dire overhaul after a season in which the Spartans averaged just 20 points per game and turned most passing downs into cover-your-eyes moments.

But new playcaller Dave Warner doesn't think the situation is that drastic.

"I don't think it's broken," Warner told ESPN.com on Tuesday. "In previous years, we've been successful. We've never been tops in the conference in scoring or anything like that, but we've always been pretty efficient."

Warner should know. He served as the Spartans' quarterback coach the previous six years, including the 2011 season when a much more experienced unit scored 31 points per game. So there's no reason to discard the entire system. That said, Warner does see the need for some updates to the offense, which he noted had 25 percent fewer explosive plays in 2012 than it did in 2011.

"I think we're going to be Coach [Mark] Dantonio's offense," he said. "But at the same time, I think we need to make some changes. Whether that's more quarterback run game, more trick plays or whatever it's going to take. That's part of spring practice. That's what we're going to find out."

Warner will be aided in this quest by Jim Bollman, the former longtime Ohio State offensive coordinator. Bollman's official title with Michigan State is co-offensive coordinator, though Warner will be in charge of play calling on game days. Warner, who was last a coordinator at UConn in 1999-2000, says he'll lean on Bollman's expertise, particularly in the running game and on designed quarterback runs, which might become a bigger part of the scheme.

Bollman said he's ready to pitch in wherever.

"I think there are a lot of different ways I can help," Bollman told ESPN.com. "We'll see how it evolves.

"Any time you're working on an offense, you've got to build things together. Even at Ohio State, we worked together. You had to make some decisions on game day, but a lot of things were done during the week and planned ahead of time."

Bollman said he's excited to be reunited with Dantonio, whom he worked with for many years at Ohio State. To do so, he had to leave Purdue -- and another former Buckeyes co-worker in Boilers head coach Darrell Hazell -- after less than two months on the job as offensive line coach there.

"I'd be kidding if I said it was an easy decision," he said. "Darrell is a great guy and obviously did a very good job at Kent State. He'll do a very good job at Purdue. It's very unusual to be in a situation like that and then have another one come up at Michigan State."

While Bollman might be the more recognizable name, Warner will be the guy deciding what to do on third-and-long on Saturdays this fall. And he'll be the guy fans scrutinize, just as they did with Dan Roushar the past couple of seasons before Roushar left for the New Orleans Saints.

"I'm ready for it," he said. "I'm hopeful to do well enough to keep them off my tail for awhile."

The job won't be easy, as Michigan State will have an open competition at quarterback this spring and must replace its two most effective offensive players from last season in running back Le'Veon Bell and tight end Dion Sims.

"It's a work in progress,' Warner said. "A big part of it is evaluating our younger players like our receivers, to see how well they're developing. The running back and tight end position is open. As we find out who those guys are, that might dictate exactly which direction we go or how creative we become with the offense."

Warner called the quarterback position "somewhat wide open."

"Andrew Maxwell goes in as the No. 1 quarterback," he said. "But certainly Connor Cook has shown he can do some things, so he'll get some work. Tyler O'Connor hasn't played for us yet, but I've been very impressed with him since he's been here. The way I see it, as a quarterback makes plays and scores touchdowns, that gives them opportunities to get more reps. The better he does, the more reps he'll get. So we'll see who's the best man."

Warner hasn't talked to the players much since he was named offensive coordinator, but in his few interactions with them he has asked them one question: "Who's going to make plays for us?" Finding the answer to that will determine how successful he, and Michigan State, will be in 2013.

Mark Dantonio has seen two of his former Michigan State assistants -- Dan Enos (Central Michigan) and Don Treadwell (Miami University) -- leave for head-coaching positions elsewhere.

There's an assumption that Dantonio eventually will lose a third aide, longtime defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, to a top job elsewhere. Michigan State has taken steps to keep Narduzzi in East Lansing, doubling his salary last year after Texas A&M courted him and promoting him to assistant head coach on Monday.

Although Narduzzi hasn't gained serious consideration for head-coaching vacancies, there's a belief that it's just a matter of time, especially if he keeps churning out elite defenses in East Lansing. Dantonio expressed disappointment that Cincinnati didn't show more interest in Narduzzi for its recent vacancy. Narduzzi served as Dantonio's defensive coordinator at Cincinnati from 2004-06 before following him to MSU.

Could Narduzzi become a head coach without leaving town? Dantonio mentioned the possibility Monday.

From the Detroit Free Press:

Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi was named assistant head coach. Dantonio has never had one in nine seasons as a head coach, but the move is an indication of Narduzzi's value -- and of his potential future candidate for his boss' job.

Asked Monday on "The Drive with Jack" on WVFN-AM (730) in Lansing whether he would like Narduzzi to be MSU's head coach some day, Dantonio said: "That would be my hope."

"As I move forward, I'm gonna coach for a while," Dantonio said on the show, "but you always want to leave a legacy."

Dantonio turns 57 on Saturday and has plenty of job security at MSU. His five-year rollover contract recently was picked up through the 2018 season, and in 2011 he received a deal designed to keep him a "Spartan for life." He suffered a heart attack in September 2010 and missed several games while recovering, but he has since had no known health issues. Bottom line: Dantonio doesn't appear to be going anywhere any time soon.

Narduzzi, 46, certainly is ready for a head-coaching job, and he'd be a good fit at Michigan State. Would he be willing to wait for Dantonio to step aside? It's possible, but it could be tough if a good job in a BCS automatic-qualifying conference comes along. Narduzzi is popular at Michigan State and has done a tremendous job with the defense, but would the school want its next leader to have previous head-coaching experience?

Time will tell how things play out, but it's interesting to hear Dantonio mention Narduzzi as a possible successor. He doesn't hide his admiration and respect for his lead assistant.

Michigan State fans, I'm interested to hear your thoughts on Narduzzi. Send 'em here.

Michigan State officially announced the hiring of Jim Bollman on Monday as co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. But he will not serve as the Spartans' main playcaller.

That responsibility will belong to Dave Warner, who had been the team's quarterbacks coach the past six seasons. A team spokesman confirmed that Warner will take the lead on game days.

That's part of some major shuffling of the offensive staff by Mark Dantonio. In addition to serving as co-offensive coordinator, Warner will now also handle the running backs. Brad Salem, who had overseen the Michigan State running backs the past three years, now will take over the quarterbacks. And defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi will now have the additional title of assistant head coach.

Here's what Dantonio had to say about Warner:

"Dave has been an important figure in our offense for the past six years – both the successes as well as the setbacks. There’s power in all of that information, so it’s a great advantage for him to assume the role of co-offensive coordinator as we move forward. I’ve been impressed with his organizational and time management skills. In addition, Dave has displayed the ability to make quick decisions."

Warner has been a coordinator before, at UConn from 1999-2000. Now he'll be paired with a longtime veteran in Bollman. When news of Bollman's hiring leaked last week, it didn't exactly fire up Michigan State's fan base, since he was often criticized for being too conservative as Ohio State's OC. But it's also true that Dantonio wasn't going to completely overhaul his offensive system and that he trusts Bollman.

"This is the fourth time in my career that I’ve had an opportunity to work with Jim Bollman, so there’s definitely a comfort level there," Dantonio said in the school's official release. “He has a tremendous amount of football knowledge, especially on the offensive side of the ball. In addition to serving as co-offensive coordinator, Jim will coach the tight ends, and he spent three years coaching that position in the NFL. He also has long-standing recruiting ties in Ohio. We’re excited about having Jim and his family back in the MSU community.

"Jim has been an offensive coordinator for 11 of the last 12 years. During his tenure in Columbus, Ohio State won six Big Ten championships, a national championship and played in two other BCS National Championship Games. He has performed under pressure at the highest level and on the biggest stage. With pressure comes experience, and Jim has been rock solid in those situations. He’s respected for his development as well as treatment of his players. He’s simply a ball coach.”

The Michigan State offense merely needs to be competent if the team's defense continues to play at a high level under Narduzzi, who has more than earned his assistant head coach title.

"No one has officially held that position before on my staff, but in Pat Narduzzi’s case, it’s certainly warranted," Dantonio said. "Pat is a great leader on the defensive side of the football, who has forged strong relationships with his players, and he’s also an outstanding recruiter. Over the last six years, he has helped build one of the Big Ten’s best defenses, and over the last two years, Michigan State has become one of the nation’s elite units, ranking among the NCAA’s Top 10 in rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense.

"I also appreciate his loyalty because Pat has been approached by several programs over the last few years and he’s elected to remain a Spartan. I know he doesn’t take this position lightly. When I’m not in the office, Pat takes control of the day-to-day operation. He’s held those duties for the last two years, but without the formal title."

Warner and Salem also have a lot of work to do with their new position responsibilities. Salem needs to get Andrew Maxwell on track and work with young contenders for the quarterback job in Connor Cook, Tyler O'Connor and incoming freshman Damion Terry. Warner will have to groom the replacement for Le'Veon Bell and may have to turn to some true freshmen to help get the job done there.

Last year's offense excelled only at producing squeamishness. Time will tell if these changes help rectify matters.

"We might simplify some things, yet become more diversified as an offense," said Dantonio. "Throughout the spring, things will be added and subtracted from the offense. Changes aren’t being made for the sake of change; changes are being made with a purpose. With that mindset, we can create different opportunities for our playmakers."

Spring practice has begun in the Big Ten, so let's take a look at what to expect from each Legends Division team this spring.

IOWA

Spring start: March 27

Spring game: April 27

What to watch:

1. Questions at quarterback: The Hawkeyes played James Vandenberg for every snap last season, and now that he's gone, they have no quarterbacks on the roster with any game experience. Sophomore Jake Rudock has been viewed as Vandenberg's successor, but he's still a mostly unknown quantity who should get pushed in the spring by former junior college transfer Cody Sokol and redshirt freshman C.J. Beathard. Whoever wins the job will be tasked with improving an Iowa passing game that finished with a Big Ten-worst seven touchdown passes in 2012.

2. Skills competition: While the quarterback race is vital, Iowa also needs standouts to emerge at the other skill positions to fix an offense that sputtered under first-year coordinator Greg Davis. The wideout corps, which struggled to get separation or make big plays, now is without departed senior Keenan Davis, who tied for the team lead with 571 receiving yards. There's a reason why Iowa signed five receivers in the 2013 class. The running back position has strength in numbers, with Damon Bullock, Mark Weisman, Jordan Canzeri and Barkley Hill all competing for carries this spring. The Hawkeyes just need to finally get some luck in the health and off-field departments at that position while hoping one player emerges as the go-to back.

3. Transition game: Iowa long had one of the most stable staffs in the country. But coach Kirk Ferentz added three new assistants this offseason for the second straight year, giving the program some fresh voices but also causing some potential bumps in transition. The offense in particular didn't mesh well last season under Davis, who'll look for solutions this spring. Ferentz has new coaches overseeing the running backs (Chris White) and receivers (Bobby Kennedy) and a new defensive assistant who'll work with the linebackers (Jim Reid). The Hawkeyes hope they can inject some life into a program that has seen its fortunes dip the past couple of seasons, including last year's 4-8 disaster.

MICHIGAN

Spring start: March 16

Spring game: April 13

What to watch:

1. Devin Gardner as starter: Denard Robinson is gone and Gardner is the presumed Michigan starter for the first time. How he adjusts to that -- and how Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges develops more of a pro-style offense around him -- are a major launching point for the Wolverines next season.

2. Offensive line play: Michigan is replacing the entire interior of its offensive line and while there is a lot of young talent there, none of the potential candidates have any experience. Michigan offensive line coach Darrell Funk said he would like to have at least one of the three slots, if not two, settled by the end of spring.

3. Linebacker competition: The deepest position on Michigan’s roster also has the most competition. Jake Ryan at strongside linebacker is almost a given, but the middle and weak side slots are wide open. A bevy of freshmen and sophomores, along with returning starter Desmond Morgan, will vie for playing time in what will be a likely increased rotation in the fall.

-- Michael Rothstein, WolverineNation

MICHIGAN STATE

Spring start: March 19

Spring game: April 20

What to watch:

1. Still Maxwell's house?: Senior Andrew Maxwell started all 13 games last season at quarterback but was pulled in favor of freshman Connor Cook for the deciding drive of the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. The Spartans will open up the competition under center, with Tyler O'Connor and eventually incoming freshman Damion Terry joining the fray. Though he has a big edge in experience, Maxwell will have to prove that he can greatly increase last season's 52.5 completion percentage to hold onto the job through the spring.

2. Replacing Bell: Saying running back Le'Veon Bell was a big part of the 2012 offense is like saying Tom Hanks had substantial role in "Cast Away." Bell carried the ball 382 times last year, more than any back in the country, and gained 1,793 yards. There is no ready-made in-house replacement, as leading returning rusher Nick Hill had just 21 rushing attempts last year and may be too slight (5-foot-8, 190 pounds) to be an every-down back. Junior Jeremy Langford will move back to the backfield after seeing time at receiver. Signees Delton Williams, Gerald Holmes and R.J. Shelton might wind up with the job.

3. New playcaller in town: Mark Dantonio has yet to officially announce a replacement for former offensive coordinator Dan Roushar, who recently left for an assistant's post with the NFL's New Orleans Saints. But reports are that former Ohio State offensive coordinator Jim Bollman has been tapped to lead the Spartans' offense. Can Bollman, whom Buckeyes fans criticized as being too conservative, find the solutions for what was a dreadful attack in 2012? The Spartans' defense once again enters spring ball with very few question marks. Michigan State's hopes rely heavily on how much progress it can make on the offensive side.

MINNESOTA

Spring start: March 26

Spring game: April 27

What to watch:

1. Defensive back end: The Gophers lost two outstanding cornerbacks in Michael Carter and Troy Stoudermire, as well as starting linebackers Mike Rallis and Keanon Cooper. Jerry Kill has tried to address this during recruiting, adding a pair of well-regarded junior college linebackers (De'Vondre Campbell and Damien Wilson) as well as touted high school corner Jalen Myrick. But some holdovers from last season's roster will have to step into bigger roles this spring.

2. The full Nelson: True freshman Philip Nelson took over the quarterback job midseason and now will enter practice as the starter. He showed flashes of immense potential but still has a lot of things to learn. Kill has said Nelson is no lock to start in 2013 and that he'll face legitimate competition from redshirt freshman Mitch Leidner and incoming freshman Chris Streveler. Nelson has the inside track for now but must hold onto it.

3. Receiving line: The Gophers don't have a returning wideout who had more than 375 receiving yards last year, though Derrick Engel showed promise with a 100-yard day in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas. You can blame some of that on the turnover and youth at quarterback. But Minnesota needs much better play at receiver to become a more balanced offense. Improvement by guys like Devin Crawford-Tufts and Isaac Fruechte this spring will help, as would some immediate contributions from recruits Eric Carter and Drew Wolitarsky.

NEBRASKA

Spring start: March 2

Spring game: April 6

What to watch:

1. Youth movement on defense: The Cornhuskers lost eight starters from last season's defense and will hope that some athletic young players are ready to step in. Guys like Charles Jackson, Jonathan Rose and Thomas Brown will be given long looks this spring. Nebraska coaches are hopeful that what they lack in experience, they'll make up for in speed. There's no bigger key for Big Red than having its young defenders make great strides in the spring.

2. Safety issues: The safety spot is an important one in Bo Pelini's scheme, and the Huskers lose both starters and a couple of top reserves from that position. Jackson will be given a look there, and the staff is high on Corey Cooper. But no starting jobs are locked down.

3. Martinez's progression: Senior quarterback Taylor Martinez won't be involved in a lot of live drills, and the spring will be a time to get freshman Tommy Armstrong some reps. But Martinez still needs to fine-tune a few parts of his game, most notably his tendency to force throws in key spots. He made great progress last offseason through extra hours of hard work; a similar leap this spring would make Martinez one of the very best players in the country.

NORTHWESTERN

Spring start: Feb. 27

Spring game: April 13

What to watch:

1. The quarterback duo: The Wildcats spent large parts of last season rotating Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian, using Siemian for more obvious passing situations. Will that continue this season? Colter needs to improve as a passer to become a better option as an every-down quarterback, and Northwestern's downfield passing game must get better. You can bet there will be a lot of eyes on Colter and Siemian this spring to see what offensive coordinator Mick McCall has planned.

2. Secondary concerns: The news that cornerback Nick VanHoose won't practice this spring because of injury could be a blessing in disguise. The Wildcats' secondary struggled when he was hurt last season, so this may provide an opportunity for others to get better without him. Jimmy Hall and Traveon Henry are youngsters who should see plenty of reps this spring in the defensive backfield.

3. Offensive line makeover: Three starters are gone from last season's offensive line, including both guards and left tackle Patrick Ward. Jack Konopka is the favorite to succeed Ward but will miss the spring with injuries, while 2012 signee Adam DePietro is among those who could step in at guard. Northwestern should have one of the best running games in the Big Ten in 2013 but will need its line to begin to take shape this spring.

Spring ball officially opened in the Big Ten on Wednesday when Northwestern hit the practice field. The Wildcats did so wearing the numbers "5:03" on the back of their practice jerseys, which was Pat Fitzgerald's way of reminding his team how close his team was to going undefeated in 2012.

They won't be the only league team cognizant of time this spring. A sense of urgency should permeate the Big Ten the next two months, as so many programs -- and the conference as a whole -- feel the need to, um, spring forward.

After all, 10 full seasons have passed since a Big Ten team last won a national title. The league has one Rose Bowl victory in the past 13 years and none since 2010. After last year's dreadful nonconference showing, the Big Ten should be thankful for the renewing spirit of spring.

Ohio State fans have been crossing off calendar days since the end of November, waiting for the 2013 season to arrive. If the Buckeyes followed Northwestern's lead, they could put "0:00" on their practice shirts, because they were the only team in the country to finish undefeated last year. Of course, they couldn't go bowling because of probation, but now they look like a legitimate title contender under Urban Meyer, who has always operated ahead of schedule. Improving the team's passing game, and the throwing mechanics of Heisman Trophy contender Braxton Miller, is high on the agenda this spring in Columbus.

Michigan coach Brady Hoke measures time -- and success -- by Big Ten titles, and for him it's unacceptable that the Wolverines haven't claimed a league championship since 2004. After an 11-2 season in Hoke's first year as head coach, Michigan weathered an 8-5 campaign last year while losing to four teams that finished in the top eight. Denard Robinson has left Ann Arbor, which means Hoke and offensive coordinator Al Borges can move forward with their plan to implement a truer pro-style attack. But the biggest issue for the Maize and Blue this spring is if several young offensive linemen can mature quickly.

Another year passed without a conference championship for Nebraska, which still hasn't won a league title since 1999. The Huskers have won either nine or 10 games during all five of Bo Pelini's seasons as head coach, but fans keep waiting for him to get the program over that last hurdle to greatness -- and to avoid ugly losses like last year's 70-31 thumping versus Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. Nebraska should have one of the most potent offenses in the country, but Pelini has to fix the defense this spring -- and do so with eight starters gone from last year.

Speaking of droughts, Michigan State is still seeking its first Rose Bowl berth since 1988. Mark Dantonio had built the team into an annual contender before last year's disappointing 6-6 regular season. The Spartans will have an open quarterback competition this spring and a new offensive coordinator, hoping they can find a way to score enough points to complement what should be another outstanding defensive unit.

Penn State still faces four more years of harsh NCAA sanctions and will have to deal with the first season of a 65-scholarship limit this season. Bill O'Brien did amazing work last year in State College, but his toughest tests likely still lie ahead.

Wisconsin has gone to three straight Rose Bowls but saw coach Bret Bielema bolt for Arkansas in December. The Badgers don't want to cede momentum now, especially with Ohio State appearing to take off, so new coach Gary Andersen and his staff need to hit the ground running. Purdue also underwent a coaching change, and the Boilermakers are banking on Darrell Hazell to inject some excitement and turn around evaporating ticket sales. Indiana improved from one to four wins in Kevin Wilson's second year and now must take the next step toward getting back to a bowl game. There's no secret where the team needs to focus this spring: on its defense, which was last in the Big Ten two years running.

Year 3 has been good to Jerry Kill in his previous head-coaching stops, and Minnesota fans hope he's on the same schedule with the Gophers after leading them to a bowl game in 2012. Iowa would like to turn back the clock to a few years ago when it was a Big Ten power and forget last year's 4-8 disaster. Kirk Ferentz isn't going anywhere because of his contract, but fans are rumbling. The clock is already ticking on Tim Beckman at Illinois after a 2-10 debut. If the Illini don't show improvement this season -- which would be hard not to do, because they were one of the worst teams in the country in just about every statistical category last year -- he may not get to coach a third year in Champaign.

And then there's Northwestern, which broke through last season with its first bowl win since 1949 and returns the nucleus of that team. The Wildcats will look to reach the next level this year, hoping to contend for a Legends Division title and even more. The 5:03 serves to remind them of how much more work they have left to do.

"We've taken the attitude that we'll find a way to make that up in the offseason," Fitzgerald said.

The rest of the Big Ten should take a similar mindset this spring. There's no time to waste.

Michigan State announced Saturday that offensive coordinator Dan Roushar is leaving to become running backs coach with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. Roushar spent the past two seasons as the Spartans’ offensive chief and has been part of coach Mark Dantonio’s staff since 2005.

Roushar beat out at least two other candidates for the Saints opening. He reunites with Saints head coach Sean Payton, whom he worked with at Illinois in 1996.

“The New Orleans Saints and Michigan State are built on similar models, with a focus on character and people,” Roushar said in a prepared statement. “New Orleans has won a Super Bowl, and over the last five years, the Saints have been one of the winningest organizations in the NFL. I’ve had an opportunity to work for Mark Dantonio -- in my opinion, the best college football coach in America -- for the last eight years, including the last six seasons at Michigan State. Now, I have an opportunity to work for arguably the best coach in the NFL in Sean Payton. Professionally, this is an opportunity I simply couldn’t pass up.”

Roushar added that Michigan State is “poised to have a tremendous year in 2013.” He drew heavy criticism from Spartans fans after the offense struggled in 2012, finishing 95th nationally in total offense and 108th in scoring. The unit performed much better in 2011 with quarterback Kirk Cousins at the helm.

“Dan Roushar has been a loyal and dedicated assistant for the last eight years, including the past six seasons at Michigan State,” Dantonio said in a prepared statement. “He’s a great teacher and a tireless recruiter. Dan certainly played a critical role in helping build a solid foundation here at Michigan State. We’re grateful for the effort and energy he’s invested in our program.”

Dantonio promoted Roushar from offensive line coach to coordinator after Don Treadwell left to take the top job at Miami (Ohio). It’ll be interesting to see if Dantonio once again looks within the staff or outside the program. Michigan State is expected to maintain a pro-style philosophy on offense.

Michigan State has hired Air Force assistant Ron Burton as its new defensive line coach. He replaces Ted Gill, whose contract was not renewed.

Burton is a 21-year coaching veteran who has spent the past 10 years tutoring defensive linemen at Air Force. He has also worked at Indiana, coaching linebackers from 1997-2001, Eastern Michigan and Grand Valley State.

“He brings a wealth of knowledge to the position," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said in a statement released by the school. “Ron played four years in the NFL and has been around some of the game’s top coaches at both the professional and collegiate levels. In the pros, he played for Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson and Gene Stallings, and he started his tenure at Air Force under Fisher DeBerry, one of college football’s great coaches.

“He was simply dynamic during the entire interview process. We had an opportunity to share some ideas last year in a professional development setting, and we believe Ron is a natural fit in terms of defensive terminology and concepts. He also brings great energy and management skills to the coaching staff."

Burton said in the school's release that he gained respect for the Spartans' staff during last year's meeting.

“We sat and talked football, and I was simply amazed at how the staff handled things," Burton said.

The Spartans lose three starters off last season's defensive line, including early draft entrant William Gholston, but Burton should still have a lot to work with. Junior Marcus Rush will be a third-year starter at defensive end, while young players like Joel Heath, Shilique Calhoun and Lawrence Thomas show a lot of promise.