Minkel Out at MSU, Chandler In

It was the move everyone expected after a disastrous season for Michigan State that resulted in a negative half point at the 2015 NCAA Championships. However, the firing/retirement/resignation of Tom Minkel hadn't come. Today, Michigan State's Athletic Department has announced that Tom Mikel will in fact resign after the 2015-16 season and his longtime assistant Roger Chandler will step in to the role. 

The change is long overdue and welcome news. The recruiting at Michigan State and lack of development of talent has been staggering. Change was needed and Roger Chandler was a 3-time All-American at Indiana including a 2nd place finish to Cary Kolat. 

The change may not be enough change for many though. Chandler has been on the staff since 1997. The Spartans have only gone downhill in that time including 6 last place finishes in the last 9 Big Ten Championships. It's hard to think having the long time assistant replace the long time Head Coach will make the change apparent enough to jump start the recruiting necessary to compete in the Big Ten. 

Roger Chandler deserves his chance at the helm and we will be rooting for them. After all, they are the closest (geographically) program to us. We want big, meaningful matches within such a close driving distance for selfish reasons. There's no reason Michigan vs Michigan State shouldn't be a matchup of top 20 teams every season. Hopefully we will see it. 

Good luck Coach Chandler!