Antjuan Simmons says Mel Tucker is focused on getting MSU back to ‘meat and potatoes’

It sounds like new head coach Mel Tucker has brought a renewed importance on doing the dirty work to Michigan State.

After one season as head coach at Colorado, Tucker comes to East Lansing to replace Mark Dantonio. Dantonio is now a legend in his own right, though it is undeniable inconsistency plagued the Spartans over the last few years of his tenure.

Right out of the gate, linebacker Antjuan Simmons has noticed that Tucker’s focus is purely on getting results and less on any flash, defensive or otherwise. When Simmons was asked if Michigan State’s defense would have a turnover prop in store under new leadership for 2020, his response was simply “meat and potatoes.”

Simmons asked if MSU defense talks about having something like Miami's turnover chain. "Meat and potatoes," Simmons said laughing.

— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) October 21, 2020

Simmons: Mel Tucker wants MSU to be “meat & potatoes, simple, none of the extra stuff.” “None of the glitz and glamour. We just want to show up, play and leave with wins. That’s the goal, that’s what coach Tuck wants this program to be. None of the lights, camera, flash stuff.”

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 21, 2020

Michigan State has won more than seven games just once in the past four years and is transitioning to a new head coach and starting quarterback in 2020. Will a renewed focus on the nitty-gritty work help the team take a step forward?

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.