Eric Lacy

Experienced staff keeps Spartans moving forward

West Lafayette, Ind. -- Few Michigan State fans can forget former coach John L. Smith's epic nationally televised meltdown at Ohio State in 2005.

Smith blamed his coaching staff for some personnel blunders that allowed the Buckeyes to block a field goal and return the ball for a score late in the first half.

"That's a dang coaching mistake," yelled Smith during an ABC interview at halftime. "The kids are playing their tails off and the coaches are screwing it up!"

Don't expect third-year coach Mark Dantonio to partake in any similar moments of chaos -- he appears completely secure with those around him. It definitely helps to have at least six years of experience working with key coordinators and assistants that came with him from Cincinnati when he took the job before the 2007 season.

"Anytime you have the same teachers, you get not just your first guy ready to play but your second and third guys ready to play," Dantonio said.

Staff stability is key

For MSU to build on its success the past three seasons, the program must not only play well and recruit well, but keep all its coaches in place. Yes, even defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, an easy target for disgruntled fans.

The consistency demonstrated within the coaching ranks reflects positively on the players -- veteran starters and true freshmen.

"There's a foundation of trust," said defensive tackle Jerel Worthy, a redshirt freshman.

Worthy is an example of the MSU staff's effort to develop players -- experienced or inexperienced -- to be leaders on the field. He's got 4.5 sacks and was named to Phil Steele's midseason All-Big Ten first team.

Several other players have benefited from having the same teachers for three straight seasons, including Keshawn Martin and Ashton Leggett.

A nurturing environment

Martin had 236 all-purpose yards in Saturday's 40-37 victory over Purdue. Leggett ran for a career-high four touchdowns the previous week against Western Michigan.

Before those games, Martin had trouble catching the ball and Leggett had one carry through the first nine games.

"They've allowed us to develop and learn over time," sophomore quarterback Kirk Cousins said of MSU's coaches. "The system is in place."

Like any head coach, Dantonio is involved with his staff in the decision-making process, but said it's never a cutthroat process that kills morale. He made the point that his job typically requires 80 hours a week, so he must rely heavily on his assistants.

"We sit and talk about everything that's going to happen in that game," Dantonio said. "I know they're capable of making decisions."

The 6-5 record is by no means stellar, but the process to build a consistent winner appears to remain on track after some embarrassing moments of the past.

At a time of year when fans call for complete program overhauls, the Spartans are a surprising model for stability. It starts with the staff.

eric.lacy@detnews.com