The Zeitgeist List · coaching
Michigan State: a coaching history
See Michigan State’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →← all coaches
Program GOAT
Duffy Daugherty
0 Dynasty · 8 Blue-Blood seasons
Built by
Biggie Munn
National Program II → Blue Blood (+31.7)
The fall
Duffy Daugherty
Blue Blood → Power Program II (−14.3)
Right now
Jonathan Smith
in year 2 — too new to place in Michigan State's history
Jonathan Smith is in year 2 — too new to place in Michigan State's history.
Stature & coaches, 1936–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
Every coach
2020–2023
Mel Tuckercaretaker
−9.5
20–14
2007–2019
Mark Dantoniobuilder
+15.8
114–57
2003–2006
John Smithcaretaker
National Program I
22–26
2000–2002
Bobby Williamscaretaker
Power Program III
15–17
1995–1999
Nick Sabancaretaker
Power Program III
34–24
1983–1994
George Perlescaretaker
+10.7
73–62
1980–1982
Frank Waterscaretaker
−10.5
10–23
1976–1979
Darryl Rogerscaretaker
Power Program II
24–18
1973–1975
Dennis Stolzcaretaker
Power Program II
19–13
1954–1972
Duffy Daughertysustainer
−14.3
109–69
1947–1953
Biggie Munntransformer
+31.7
54–9
1936–1946
Charlie Bachmancaretaker
National Program I
52–29