Mel Tucker’s on-field coaching staff has reportedly been finalized.
According to Riley Gates of GoPowercat.com–the Kansas State 247 Sports page–Kansas State defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton is expected to accept the defensive coordinator position on Mel Tucker’s staff.
BREAKING: Sources have told @GoPowercat that Scottie Hazelton is expected to accept a job on Mel Tucker's staff at Michigan State. Story:https://t.co/HVPrRcRWSt
— Riley Gates (@Riley_Gates) February 27, 2020
Gates’ source says that while a deal hasn’t been finalized, K-State is expecting Hazelton to leave for East Lansing, citing an offer that Kansas State “can’t match.” Hazelton was paid $550,000 for his work last year at KSU. Former Michigan State defensive coordinator Mike Tressel was paid $725,000 last season to run the Spartan defense. The salary of new Michigan State offensive line coach and run game coordinator Chris Kapilovic has been reported as $700,000 per year.
Hazelton has only been the defensive coordinator in Manhattan for one season. In 2019 under Hazelton the Wildcats ranked 27th in points per game given up, up from 49th in 2018. KSU also improved from 61st in SP+ defense in 2018 to 47th in 2019. Before KSU Hazelton was the defensive coordinator at Wyoming from 2017-2018 and oversaw massive improvements in the Cowboy defense. In 2015 and 2016 Wyoming ranked 101st and 102nd in points per game allowed respectively and ranked 119th and 116th in defensive SP+. In Hazelton’s two seasons Wyoming ranked 9th and 29th in points per game allowed and 36th and 42st in defensive SP+.
Prior to Wyoming Hazelton was an assistant linebackers coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was the defensive coordinator for Nevada in 2013, the linebackers coach at USC in 2012 and was the defensive coordinator for North Dakota State from 2010-2011 and won an FCS national championship in 2011.
If the hire eventually is finalized Hazelton with be the tenth and final on-field assistant on Mel Tucker’s staff. You can read a roundup of all of his hires here.