EAST LANSING, Mich. -- New Michigan State football coach John L. Smith thinks his program has to recruit well in the state to play well against Michigan and other Big Ten powers.
Smith's firm belief that success begins at home is seen in a plan that has eight of his nine assistants scouring the state for talent, an increase of three coaches from last year under Bobby Williams.
"You'd better recruit your backyard and do a good job there," said Smith, who could add 25 players and announce close to 22 on National Signing Day, Feb. 5. "That's why all my coaches will have a piece of it. We are the State University of Michigan."
The Spartans started slowly after the Nov. 4 firing of Williams and the hiring of Smith six-and-a-half weeks later. Recruiting has picked up recently, however, with 11 announced verbal commitments and six more private pledges.
Only three of those players are from Michigan, a state that was picked clean when Smith's staff arrived. But two players Michigan State would love to sign, All-America linebacker LaMarr Woodley and running back Jerome Jackson from Saginaw High, are still considering the Spartans.
"Michigan is probably the third-best state in the Midwest for talent," holdover running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Reggie Mitchell said. "There are usually at least 10 to 12 kids you can win championships with in this state. And we don't want kids who are good enough to play for us to wind up playing for, say, Minnesota."
The Spartans were victimized that way last season when the Golden Gophers blasted Michigan State behind the running of former Saginaw star Terry Jackson. Wisconsin has beaten the Spartans with quarterback Jim Sorgi from Fraser. And Ohio State won a national championship this month with quarterback Craig Krenzel of Utica.
That's why Smith has assigned every assistant except returning offensive line coach and East Coast recruiting specialist Jeff Stoutland with a territory in Michigan:
--Mitchell -- Saginaw, Flint, Detroit, Southfield and Bay City (plus South Chicago, Maryland and Northern Virginia).
--Offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin -- Greater Lansing (plus Southern Ohio; Louisville, Ky.; Huntington, W.Va.; California and Northern Texas).
--Linebackers coach Mike Cox -- Southern Oakland County (plus South Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Idaho and Utah).
--Cornerbacks coach Paul Haynes -- Northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula (plus Central Ohio, Georgia and Washington, D.C.).
--Wide receivers and special teams coach Jim McElwain -- Wayne County other than Detroit (plus Central and North Florida, prep schools, South Georgia, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana).
--Quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier -- Northern Oakland, Huron, Lapeer, Macomb, Sanilac, St. Clair and Tuscola counties (plus Southern Texas, Louisiana, Washington and Oregon).
--Defensive coordinator and safeties coach Chris Smeland -- Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe and Washtenaw counties (plus St. Louis, Kansas City and Reno, Nev.).
--Defensive line coach Steve Stripling -- West Michigan (plus North and West Chicago, Indiana, Western Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Minnesota).
"Certain areas will be hit a lot harder than others," said Smith, who expects about 50 official visits. "Ohio has great football and is right next door, as we start expanding from Michigan. Kentucky is an easy, five-hour drive. And we'll be active in the Deep South, where so many players are. But first, we'll be looking all across Michigan."
Originally published Thursday, January 30, 2003
