2023 Michigan State Spartans football team

2023 Michigan State Spartans football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
DivisionEast Division
Record4–8 (2–7 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJay Johnson (4th season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorScottie Hazelton (4th season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumSpartan Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →
2023 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 1 Michigan xy$#^   9 0     15 0  
No. 10 Ohio State   8 1     11 2  
No. 13 Penn State   7 2     10 3  
Maryland   4 5     8 5  
Rutgers   3 6     7 6  
Michigan State   2 7     4 8  
Indiana   1 8     3 9  
West Division
No. 24 Iowa xy   7 2     10 4  
Northwestern   5 4     8 5  
Wisconsin   5 4     7 6  
Illinois   3 6     5 7  
Minnesota   3 6     6 7  
Nebraska   3 6     5 7  
Purdue   3 6     4 8  
Championship: Michigan 26, Iowa 0
  • # – College Football Playoff champion
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2023 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.

The Spartans were led by Mel Tucker through the first two games of the season; Tucker was suspended without pay on September 10 and was fired for cause on September 27 following disclosures relating to alleged sexual harassment.[1] Defensive backs coach Harlon Barnett was appointed interim head coach, and former head coach Mark Dantonio agreed to return as the team's associate head coach.[2]

The Spartans finished the season 4–8, 2–7 in Big Ten play to finish in sixth place in the East division. They failed to qualify for a bowl game for the third time in four years.

On November 26, the school named Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith the team's new head coach.[3]

  1. ^ Bromberg, Nick (September 10, 2023). "Michigan State coach Mel Tucker suspended without pay after sexual harassment allegations". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "After Mel Tucker ban, Mark Dantonio 'excited to be back' with Michigan State football". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  3. ^ "Michigan State hires Jonathan Smith: Oregon State coach leaves alma mater to take over Spartans job". CBSSports.com. November 25, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.