The Michigan State Spartans are scrambling for other options after Luke Fickell turned down the job Monday, and a name familiar to Big Ten fans reportedly wants the job.
According to Rainer Sabin of the Detroit Free Press, former Wisconsin and Arkansas coach Bret Bielema has “definite” interest in the Michigan State job. Bielema went 68-24 at Wisconsin, then moved to Arkansas, where he struggled mightily over the course of five seasons.
Bielema recently accepted a job with the New York Giants, but is said to be eager to get back to coaching in college. It is unclear if Michigan State has any interest or if it’s simply one-sided on Bielema’s part. They may opt to stick with Mike Tressel on an interim basis as opposed to settling and handing out a multi-year deal to a coach they’re not in love with.
The Spartans spoke to Fickell on Sunday and the job was essentially his if he wanted it, but he decided he didn’t. This comes on top of a former Michigan State assistant turning down the job as well, which will leave the school scrambling. However good or bad the job is, it’s hard to find a quality coach in mid-February who is willing to leave a school and take over elsewhere after National Signing Day is already finished.
