Inside Spring Football: When Michigan State's Suiaunoa says there’s progress, I believe him

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Most years, we hear Michigan State players talk about improved commitment to conditioning, improved physical capabilities. That should be the case for players at all programs, as they get older and gain a better understanding of what’s required to win at the Big Ten level.  But when an assistant coach can see a stark difference from year one to year two in a program, it makes your ears perk up a little more. And that was the case for me on Tuesday when listening to defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa speak with media following practice. Suiaunoa  (pronounced SOO-ee-ow-noah) spent five years with Jonathan Smith at Oregon State and became the Spartans’ d-line coach last year. In year one at Michigan State, coaches adjusted to the Spartan talent pool, some assistant coaches adjusted to defensive coordinator Joe Rossi’s system. There were adjustments to the Big Ten schedule, style of play, handling the in-state rivalry, and other things. But I’m sensing a comfort level in the familiarity of the overall landscape, and an increasing confidence in the tools at their disposal. (MORE INSIDE)