| | EAST LANSING, Mich. -- As word spread of Michigan State
football coach Nick Saban's departure Tuesday, campus reaction
ranged from disappointment to indifference.
Some said they couldn't blame Saban for agreeing to the $6
million, five-year contract with LSU. Others wondered why Saban
would leave after finally achieving a 9-2 record and an appearance
at the Florida Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1.
But almost everyone questioned the timing of the decision, with
the Spartans preparing for their first New Year's Day bowl game in
a decade. Saban will not coach the team in the game.
"I think it's kind of short notice. I mean, what about the bowl
game? We finally made it to one and now he's leaving," said
Rebecca Struble, 20, a sophomore from St. Clair. "I think it's
going to have some effect on the team, mentally if nothing else."
Mike Haynes, 19, a sophomore from Grand Rapids, said he also
expects Saban's departure will effect the team negatively.
"I'm sad to say it, but I don't see them winning the game
now," he said of the Citrus Bowl.
Reaction came from beyond the campus as well. At the state
Capitol, Gov. John Engler, a Michigan State alumnus, said he was
disappointed.
"I certainly wish Nick and Terry well somewhere down in the
bayou," he said, referring to Saban's wife. "But I had hoped that
the Sabans were going to become part of the MSU family for a very,
very long time."
During a visit to East Lansing, U.S. Sen. Spencer Abraham,
R-Mich., also a Michigan State alumnus, said he was already
wondering who was being considered to replace Saban.
But the news didn't faze Jason Walencik, 20, a sophomore from
Rochester Hills who holds football season tickets. Walencik said
the team was headed for a change anyway.
"We've got a lot of seniors graduating, so it shouldn't make
that much of a difference," he said.
Lori Fluker, a 1999 graduate who now works with Student Athletic
Support Services, said she's also not concerned because she
believes the school can hire a good replacement.
"I have faith in my players and I think we have a really good
team," she said.
Laura Schuler, 21, a senior from Milford, Mich., echoed that same
faith.
"The Spartan fans are pretty hardy fans. I think we can live
through anything," she said.
| |
ALSO SEE
Saban a hit for LSU, a miss for Florida Citrus Bowl
Assistant's elevation cheered by Spartans
|
