V-Cast: Michigan State seeks to play disciplined football, looking at the coaching search
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State interim coach Harlon Barnett stressed the importance of discipline coming off an embarrassing beatdown at the hands of Washington last weekend. Lack of discipline cost Spartans substantially in that loss. The Spartans need to be much better in the discipline department in order to get back on track this weekend in the Big Ten opener against Maryland for Homecoming this weekend.
“We are focused on the details, the discipline of everything right now,” said Barnett. “How do we get that accomplished in the game when the crowd is hollering and there is 75,000. We had a great crowd on Saturday. How can you remain focused and disciplined to do your job and focus, just like practice.
“We got our butt kicked on Saturday. How do we improve from that and get better from that?”
After Barnett’s press conference on Tuesday, SpartanMag.com staffers Jim Comparoni and Paul Konyndyk weighed with news, notes, and analysis from Tuesday’s press conference ahead of the Big Ten opener for Michigan State ahead of Maryland in the latest V-Cast.
TOPICS COVERED
Coach Search: We discuss the coaching search at Michigan State in the wake of Tucker receiving an intent to terminate letter on Monday. We limit our discussion to current college head coaches including Duke head coach Mike Elko, Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith, and Washington State head coach Jake Dickert among others.
Lack of Discipline: Michigan State simply did not execute what it practiced leading up to Washington Barnett listed several examples of lack of discipline that cost the Spartans dearly in his first game as interim head coach. Barnett indicated that the focus in practice and meeting this week has been playing disciplined football.
Maryland: The Spartans faced a Heisman Trophy candidate in Michael Penix Jr. last weekend. This weekend the Spartans will face another veteran quarterback in Taulia Tagovailoa, who is more athletic than Penix in the estimation of Barnett, who is hoping that Michigan State fans continue to support their team this weekend.
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“Taulia, this dude is all over the place,” Barnett said. “He’ll move out of the pocket and throw the ball from anywhere.”
Any Positives? Barnett gave himself a failing grade in his first game as interim head coach. He did, however, take aways some positives from the game. He described hope and light at the end of the tunnel, but bemoaned a lack of consistency by the Spartans in all phases of the game.
“You need all 11 to execute,” Barnett said. “You win that down. You win that series. You win that quarter, that half, that game if all 11 that are on that field execute. It’s hard to do. That’s where the focus is. It wasn’t all terrible. We have some things to be build upon.”
Fall Out from Firing: Barnett is pleased with the the Michigan State coaching staff has handled the firing of Mel Tucker. He is also pleased with way his players have dealt with Tucker’s firing as well. Athletic director Alan Haller met with the players, coaches, and support staff separately on Monday to address the letter of intent to terminate Tucker’s contract that was sent that same day.
