New Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker has rounded out his coaching staff, hiring Scottie Hazelton as defensive coordinator. Hazelton served as defensive coordinator at Kansas State last season.
“Scottie definitely has the mentality you’re looking for in a defensive coordinator,” Tucker said in a statement. “He’s a leader with an infectious personality and he’s an excellent teacher. He’s learned from some of the great defensive minds in the game throughout his career.
“Scottie has been a defensive coordinator multiple times, including at the Power 5 level, he’s coached in the NFL, and he’s been on a staff that won a national championship. I couldn’t be more excited about hiring Scottie as our defensive coordinator to lead our outstanding defensive staff.”
Prior to last season at Kansas State, Hazelton was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Wyoming for two seasons following three seasons in the NFL as assistant linebackers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2014-16. He also served stints at Nevada, North Dakota State and Southern Cal.
The Spartans’ previous defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, who served under retired former coach Mark Dantonio, remains on the staff although his role going forward has not yet been specified.