The Columbus Dispatch

Michigan State football makes unorthodox hire

- Rainer Sabin

Michigan State is in the process of finalizing a deal to hire a private trainer to fill one of two vacancies on its coaching staff.

The Free Press is reporting that Brandon Jordan, who has tutored TJ Watt, Von Miller and other prominent NFL sack artists, will join the Spartans as a defensive ends coach/pass rush specialist.

The unorthodox move comes after MSU tallied 43 sacks, the sixth-highest total in the nation.

Despite that high level of production, head coach Mel Tucker is looking to improve in that area in order to relieve the pressure placed on a secondary burned repeatedly in 2021. The Spartans surrendere­d 324.8 passing yards per game, worst in the Football Bowl Subdivisio­n.

Following the regular season, cornerback­s coach Travares Tillman was hired by Georgia Tech, which created the opening Jordan will soon fill.

Jordan, who is based out of Louisiana and Texas, could help Michigan State make inroads on the recruiting trail. After all, his clientele includes players at the middle and high school levels in two talent-rich states.

He's also not a stranger to the college game. Jordan spent multiple years as a defensive line coach at Austin Peay.

With Jordan set to come aboard, Tucker and the Spartans still have one more vacancy to fill as they look to find a replacemen­t for running backs coach William Peagler.

 ?? ADAM CAIRNS/COLUMBUS DISPATCH ?? Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker watches in the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 20. Ohio State won 56-7.
ADAM CAIRNS/COLUMBUS DISPATCH Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker watches in the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 20. Ohio State won 56-7.

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