Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio still the perfect fit

Michigan State football was in shambles back in 2006 and it was once again in the market for a head coach and Mark Dantonio was the perfect fit.

I can remember the rumor mill circulating back during that 2006 season. Then-head coach John L. Smith was a dead man walking and Michigan State football fans hoped that whoever the new coach would be could salvage the recruiting class.

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Many media pundits floated the name of a highly innovative and talented Central Michigan coach named Brian Kelly as a possible replacement.

After all, Kelly ran a similar type of offense as Michigan State at the time. Plus, he coached in Michigan and knew the area. It appeared to a be natural fit, a no-brianer. Yet MSU went with a coach who had ties to the program already and hired Cincinnati coach Mark Dantonio.

Mark Dantonio has proven to be the perfect hire ever since he first stepped foot onto East Lansing. Kelly moved on from Cincinnati after a few years to Notre Dame. Michigan State had already done the “hire the up and comer” coach with Nick Saban and learned that lesson the hard way.

In the coaching search back in 2006, the athletic department wanted someone who would stay and have the vision to see what Spartan football could truly become.

One has to wonder if it gives added incentive or maybe a possible extra leap of joy in Kelly’s heart when he beats Michigan State. The Notre Dame head coach is happy where he’s at, yet coaches have egos and he’s human.

The famed “Little Giants” play of 2010 most likely stung even more. Kelly can say he is happy and every one is good, but he will always remember that he was passed over for the job.