For the first time in 13 years Michigan State football is looking for a new coach.

Mark Dantonio resigned Tuesday afternoon leaving the school in a spot it hasn’t been in since the 2007 season when he took over. The school promoted defensive coordinator Mike Tressel to interim head coach while a formal search is conducted.

Here are some names being bandied about as a potential replacement.

Luke Fickell, Cincinnati Head Coach

Luke Fickell is a well-respected defensive mind that has been successful at Cincinnati after an excellent run as defensive coordinator at Ohio State. Sound familiar? Fickell’s path is on the exact same trajectory as Dantonio’s before he took the MSU job. Fickell is a midwest guy and an excellent recruiter. He would bring the same blue-collar mentality that Dantonio built Michigan State with. He’s among the most mentioned names whenever a job comes open and is prime for a step up. Michigan State could be just the opportunity Fickell is waiting for.

Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh Head Coach

Narduzzi could very well return to East Lansing as the head man. He has great memories here, leading some of the best defenses in the nation during his time as defensive coordinator, a position he held for eight seasons. Narduzzi is 36-29 during his five seasons at Pitt and won the ACC Coastal division in 2018. Narduzzi’s Pitt teams have been to bowl games in four of his five seasons.

Mike Tressel, Michigan State Defensive Coordinator

Tressel could be in the mix, depending on how the administration wants to handle Danotnio’s late departure. Many of the good candidates have begun preparations for the 2020 season and with recruiting classes finishing up in the next few days, it may be hard to lure somebody to move their family and ditch their current programs this late in the process. If that’s the case, MSU may end up with an internal promotion and Tressel would be the candidate there, leading top defensive units the last two seasons.

Mark Stoops, Kentucky Head Coach

Stoops has midwest ties being from Youngstown and we all know the connection between Michigan State, the midwest and specifically the town of Youngstown. Stoops has done a really good job at Kentucky despite being in impossible circumstances. Yes, he’s in the SEC, but his program doesn’t have the resources available to them as the big boys in the conference. Plus, Kentucky football will always be a distant second fiddle to the basketball team in Lexington. Stoops has already proven to be an excellent recruiter of Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, stealing top prospects from the big in-state programs.

Matt Campbell, Iowa State Head Coach

Campbell has been a hot name in recent coaching searches and truth be told, he might be waiting for a bigger job than Michigan State. Heading to East Lansing would certainly be a step up for Campbell, but if he waits he could be a name mentioned for Texas or Oklahoma or a job that size when they open up. Campbell is a gifted offensive mind that has piled up a number of impressive wins during his time in Ames. He took over a 3-9 team and had them to eight wins within two years.

Jason Candle, Toledo Head Coach

Another Ohio guy! Candle has done a really good job at Toledo, racking up a 34-19 record in his five seasons, including and 11-win campaign in 2017. Candle is an offensive mastermind type and the Rockets are always among the top offensive teams in the MAC. He’s a little bit like Matt Campbell light, having worked with Campbell at Mount Union (WI) and Toledo in the past.

Urban Meyer

Just kidding. He’d never do it, but wouldn’t that be fun?!

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