Mike Valenti: "Mel Tucker's entire career comes down to this year"
Notable Michigan State alum and radio talk show host Mike Valenti made waves late last month when he suggested East Lansing will be a hostile (literally) environment for Michigan fans this October when the Spartans host the Wolverines.
Valenti had another strong take concerning Michigan State football this week, suggesting the head coach Mel Tucker's career with the Spartans hinges on how the team performs this season.
“I think Mel Tucker’s entire career comes down to this year," Valenti said on 97.1 Ticket.
After suffering through last season's 5-7 campaign, Valenti wanted there to be consequences in the form of assistant coaches getting fired — notably offensive coordinator Jay Johnson and defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton.
Many within Michigan State's fanbase felt the same way, but Tucker elected to stick by the guys he hired back in 2020. The only staff changes the Spartans' made this offseason came as a result of staff members leaving on their own volition. Defensive line coach Marco Coleman left for the same position at his alma mater, Georgia Tech, and pass rush specialist Brandon T. Jordan moved up to the NFL ranks with the Seattle Seahawks.
Tucker hired D-line coach Diron Reynolds (Stanford) and cornerbacks coach Jim Salgado (Buffalo Bills) as replacements. But, Valenti isn't satisfied.
“[Tucker] stuck by, what I think right now are, very questionable coordinators in Jay Johnson and Scottie Hazelton," Valenti said. “He’s a Top 10-paid coach, and there’s no world where Jay Johnson and Scottie Hazelton are Top 25 coordinators. So, you’ve got a problem there and that’s on him.”
Valenti also expressed concern over Michigan State's on-going quarterback competition, with redshirt junior Noah Kim battling freshmen Katin Houser and Sam Leavitt for the starting job. Valenti noted that former MSU head coach Mark Dantonio struggled with quarterback decisions during his tenure with the program.
“Did Tuck go to the portal to get a QB? No. So, now we’ve got your guys. It’s one of three guys who take the job," Valenti said. "Mark Dantonio was 0-for-3 on quarterback competitions. He botched all three of them. The happy accident was Connor Cook. Connor Cook saved Mark’s bacon.”
Valenti said Tucker's decision on who starts for Michigan State this year will have serious ramifications in the years to come.
“Mel Tucker has a quarterback competition that he has to get right," Valenti said. "If you get it wrong, in today’s world, you’re going to lose the guys that you should have chose. If you get it right, you’re going to have a multi-year starter, which is super valuable.”
Finally, Valenti bemoaned Tucker's short-coming in what the radio host called "quality control" during last season's campaign.
“Clock management, special teams, a defense that isn’t 130th in America, stupid penalties, idiocy, blown assignments," Valenti said. “Here’s where I’m at right now – Recruiting is not where it needs to be, the transfer portal is not where it needs to be, the product on the field is not where it needs to be.”
Valenti said he likes "the idea of Mel Tucker", who Valenti believes has brought modernization to Michigan State in a way that helps the Spartans' steal part of the spotlight that primarily focuses on Michigan or Ohio State. Valenti is also not calling for some miraculous season like MSU enjoyed in 2021 when they went 11-2.
“No, I don’t expect MSU to compete for anything of note," he said. "I do not expect a trip to Indy. I do not expect going to Columbus [and winning].”
What Valenti is asking for is that the Spartans not only beat the teams they are supposed to beat, but come out on top in perceived "50/50 games" against Maryland, Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa.
“I don’t think he’s going to get fired. He will have 2024," Valenti said. "My point is, if this year doesn’t look different, if this year doesn’t put out a high-quality product – and again, brutal schedule. But if you can’t get to 8 wins, you’re not much of a coach. That’s just reality.
“Anything short of Michigan State doing a 180 from last year, winning seven [or] eight games, showing competency, young players contributing – you’re talking about coordinators out, you’re talking about the old C-Y-A mode, the old Lovie Smith model – everyone’s fired but you. You’re talking about a program that would have gone two straight years being a complete embarrassment on the field and it would be one of the five hottest seats in America in ‘24. I think it’s that kind of year for Mel Tucker.”
“He has to show something here. Otherwise, if you don’t, the narrative that you were made by Kenneth Walker – if they don’t produce this year and do something, that narrative gains real traction.”
Mike Valenti's full segment concerning this topic on 97.1 The Ticket's 'The Valenti Show with Rico' can be viewed below:
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