Alan Haller shares how Mark Dantonio helped with coaching search

After going on a coaching search to replace Mel Tucker, Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller landed on Jonathan Smith to take over the football program.

Haller says that a lot of research went into this decision. That included reaching out to former head coach Mark Dantonio for help finding a good candidate.

“I looked at YouTube videos, watched film, looked at articles,” Alan Haller said. “There’s probably three or four industry people that did a lot of research for me. Dantonio was awesome with all his contacts. He talked to a lot of the elite coaches out there, current and former. He did a lot of research for me.”

Haller then clarified that Dantonio helped him by reaching out to people he knew within college football.

“Worked with him. He found former student-athletes. He found media members that spoke highly of him and other candidates. So, I had a lot more research than I did last time.”

Mark Dantonio isn’t the only coaching figure around Michigan State with strong opinions about Jonathan Smith. Legendary basketball coach Tom Izzo also praised the hire.

“And Jonathan Smith, that was a decision that Alan made that I think’s going to be a very good decision,” Izzo said. “I have been impressed, did not know him that well, talked to him one time. I have been impressed and very impressed last night getting the chance to sit down face to face for an hour and a half. I just think he brings maybe who we are. He’s kind of a blue collar attitude, too.”

Alan Haller reveals what made Jonathan Smith top choice for Michigan State

There was a lot that went into the Jonathan Smith hire. Ultimately, Alan Haller made the move because of how he fits with Michigan State.

“You know, he just — he can coach. But he fits in to us. He was so much like some of our other head coaches. He had a community feel to him, he loved the student athletes, he wanted to develop them. It was about the university, it wasn’t about him. I told him we have 53 people in our football building in terms of support staff. He’s like, ‘Oh, that’s way too many.’ I was like, ‘I like you.’ He’s like, ‘I don’t need that many people.’ I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to hold you to that coach.’ So it’s on tape, please print it,” Haller said.

“There was nothing negative ever said about him. It was that. No one said anything about him that raised a flag. It was, ‘This guy is awesome, the community is going to love him. They’re going to love his style of play. He recruits well,’ and everyone said that.”