5 Most Interesting Things New MSU Cornerbacks Coach Jim Salgado Said
After the sudden departure of Michigan State football's pass rush specialist Brandon T. Jordan, head coach Mel Tucker decided to fill the open spot on his coaching staff with a cornerbacks coach.
Tucker brought in former Buffalo Bills assistant coach Jim Salgado, who had spent the previous six seasons coaching in the NFL.
We got our first chance to hear from Salgado on Thursday during spring practice media availability. Here's what stood out the most:
1.) "[College football is the] same as when I left. It's still football at the end of the day, and it still comes down to developing players and putting them in the best position to succeed. That's what it's all about, whether it's college ball, pro ball — giving those guys an opportunity to go out and make plays."
It's been six years since Salgado has been a college football coach, having spent the last half-decade with the Buffalo Bills in the NFL.
While Salgado is correct in saying, "it's still football", a lot has changed in the college game since he moved on to the professional ranks, including the creation of the transfer portal and student-athletes ability to profit off their Name, Image and Likeness.
Sure, at the end of the day, what Michigan State needs most is a guy who can help its cornerbacks improve in pass coverage. That's priority No. 1 for Salgado. But it will be interesting to see how well he adjusts to the new challenges in college recruiting in the months and years to come. Fortunately, with Tucker's background as a defensive back and DB coach, that should help the Spartans attract talent on the trail.
2.) "I came in and it was, 'Hey, I've got a fresh slate on all of these guys'. I told the players that as well. I told Coach, 'I don't want to know anything the players'. I will assess that as we move forward and I get to know them."
I actually really like this approach from Salgado.
The only thing that is certain about Michigan State's corners is that they have to do a better job in pass coverage. Salgado is not going to know what year these guys came in, what their recruiting ranking was or any other superficial thing about his position group.
It sounds like all he will be evaluating is what he sees on the practice field and sees/hears in the meeting rooms, and I think that's a great approach for this position group. Let an outside guy, who has NFL experience, come in and make his own evaluations and determine for himself who should be on the field.
3.) "I think there's guys that have ball skills. We've had some interceptions. We track them. We try to celebrate those things when we get them in practice. We know that if we get them in practice then you'll be able to make them in the game. "
Not surprisingly, since MSU struggled so much in pass coverage, the Spartans were one of the worst defenses in the country in terms of interceptions.
Michigan State had just two INTs all season in 2022, and one of those came from linebacker Jacoby Windmon. Rising junior cornerback Charles Brantley was the only Spartan DB to come up with an interception, and that one was thrown practically right to him by Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. To his credit, Brantley returned it for a touchdown.
Creating more turnovers in the secondary is a must, and Salgado and safeties coach Harlon Barnett are tasked in doing that.
"That's all about being in the right position," Salgado added to the above quote. "Before the interception comes, I need to put myself in position to go out and make a play."
That sounds a lot like 'Coach Speak' but Salgado is essentially correct. We'll see if he can do a better job than his predecessor's at getting MSU's defensive backs in those right positions.
4.) "I don't care what level you're at, you want to affect the quarterback. And there's more ways to affect the quarterback. It's not just sacking him...We can affect him with our coverage, with our scheme, with our look."
Tucker used a lot of this same language over the last two seasons as well but, again, a new perspective at the back end of Michigan State's defense may be just what the doctor ordered.
Defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton has been heavily criticized for his scheme over the last couple years, understandably. Michigan State's defensive coaching staff as a whole needs to put their heads together and determine how to better affect opposing quarterbacks.
5.) "Recruiting is recruiting. Yes, I know now there's NIL and all those things, but I think it's all about relationships. You've got to be dug in to your area, your position and then be in constant contact. Not only with the individual that you're recruiting, but also the coach or the family, whoever is helping him make that decision."
Listen, Salgado knows more about football and recruiting than I ever will, and I agree with most of what he's saying above.
Building relationships are still a major part of college recruiting, but to suggest 'recruiting is recruiting' is a bit naive in my opinion. Name, Image and Likeness is now a major factor, particularly for high-end players that Michigan State has tried to recruit in the Tucker era.
Furthermore, with the transfer portal, coaches have to continually recruit their own rosters and position groups as well. I'm sure Salgado is aware of all that, but until he's had to do it for an extended period of time, it's hard to know what to expect.
