Coach Smith showed some energy
B1G Media days have been underway at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Coach Jonathan Smith took to the podium Thursday afternoon to speak a bit on MSU’s expectations this year. There have been many on this site and in general that have commented in the past year on the blandness and lack of energy from Coach Smith. In my opinion, Coach hit this podium like he just slammed a Red Bull and I was okay with that. He seemed pumped up to be there and to talk about his team.
He mentioned MSU’s ability to retain over 70 players on the roster and actively brought in 23 from the transfer portal. He mentioned one of the biggest areas of focus was the offensive line and bringing in more competition with college experience to get that unit improving in the right direction. He seemed optimistic with the strength and conditioning, and the line coaching and is expecting improvement. “Bigger, faster, stronger, more explosive in percentages” is what Smith had to say about the strength and conditioning. You could see his excitement as he spoke about it and it got me excited to see what could be. There also seemed to be an air of holding the line accountable with the competition in the locker room and knowing that if someone isn’t pulling their weight there is someone behind them ready to go. As thin as that position was last year with injuries, it was nice to hear his confidence on the conditioning.
The backfield is very young and unproven. Smith mentioned how he’s looking forward to see how that locker room competition plays out. It sounds like we could be seeing any of them and a willingness to play the hot hand.
Smith also strongly stressed continuity. Not only in the players in the locker room but also among coaches and schematics. We kind of forget how new everything was last year for everyone. Smith stressed just how much new information Aiden Chiles was dealing with last season and expects to see his improvement in the system. Smith teams are known for running the ball and hopefully a better and healthier offensive line, along with Chiles lowering his turnover margin, will give us an opportunity to see what the coach’s schematics are really all about.
Smith sounded ready for year two, excited for year two and maybe even a tad like he has something to prove as well as his team. I liked what I heard from coach. With the first seven games of the schedule, MSU has an opportunity to maybe make something happen to get into a Bowl. The roster has definitely improved. Joe Rossi is solid. They have one of the best o-line coaches in the nation and some potentially dangerous offensive talent and maybe aren’t getting enough respect.
Smith wasn’t the only Spartan with a microphone in Vegas. MSU selected Jordan Hall, Nick Marsh, and Stanton Ramil to represent the team. Smith raved about all three of them and the work they have put in this offseason, how they are team leaders and good students. Ramil talked about how much more the position group has picked up the schemes and improved this spring. Marsh mentioned last year that the team did not pay as close attention to the details in the schematics but this year they will be the difference maker.
It was fun to hear the players talk about Smith as a coach. How he is a brilliant football mind and allows his coaches to coach. Marsh even let us know the tell of Smith’s hands coming together is a sign that he means business. He doesn’t have to talk much, his demeanor gets the point across. Hall mentioned the defense needs to improve, be better against the run and improve the pass rush. All three players mentioned the offensive line being the most improved. Ramil may have had the best quote of the day. He was talking about the grit and the need for that to return to East Lansing. To get out there and get it down. He then said, “We want to see couches burn”. I know I wouldn’t be mad if the team was playing that well.
It was nice to see everyone optimistic, energetic, and talking about improvements. The need to improve and evolve at the line of scrimmage on both sides was something we all could see so having these faults addressed and improved can really be the difference in the season. Who’s ready for some football?