EAST LANSING (WXYZ) — There may not be a team in the Big Ten that's had a more turbulent off-season than Michigan State.
Their all-times wins leader, Mark Dantonio, abruptly retired in February.
After a national coaching search, the University settled on Mel Tucker, who came in preaching a 'relentless' attitude.
Then COVID-19 spun the world on it's axis.
No spring football, recruiting visits went virtual, and a summer program wasn't the same, all critical elements in a new coaches tenure to get things on track before the season begins.
Now, as the Spartans are back on the field to begin preparing for a much different 2020 season, the players who have seen Tucker in person maybe a handful of times, are starting to realize what he's all about.
"Coach Tuck's not messing around now man, he's getting us ready to go, he's motivated, we're motivated, so it was a good practice," junior quarterback Rocky Lombardi said.
"He came out with his whistle wet and he was ready to go, he was blowing that whistle every chance he got today," senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons added.
The Spartans will continue to prepare for their season opener at Spartan Stadium on October 24th.
