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QB Coach Candidate: Don Treadwell

In this series, we'll take a look at possible candidates for the assistant coach vacancies. Today, we have quarterbacks coach.

By Kevin Recio
Leon Halip

Rob Spence was relieved of his duties as QB coach after he failed to groom Gary Nova as a signal-caller. This is a great move for the program, as quarterback has been a sore issue for years (decades arguably) in Piscataway. With the transition to the B1G, this position calls for a B1G-caliber coach. Today, let's take a look at the qualifications of Don Treadwell, a former assistant under the Rose Bowl-bound Mark Dantonio regime.

Background

  • Began coaching career under Jim Tressel at Youngstown State, where he served as offensive coordinator, quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs coach (1986-1991).
  • Had stints at Stanford, Boston College, NC State, Ball State, and Miami (OH).
  • Reunited with Mark Dantonio, whom he met while coaching at Youngstown State, and served as Dantonio's offensive coordinator at Cincinnati (2004-2006) and later at Michigan State (2007-2010).
  • Spartan offenses from 2007-2010 were productive: 2nd in the B1G in scoring in '07 & '09, 2nd in passing in '09, 3rd in passing in '10, 4th in total offense in '07, 3rd in total offense in '09. Nationally, Michigan State was 28th in passing offense in '09.
  • Groomed several quarterbacks to have successful seasons: Kirk Cousins (MSU), Brian Hoyer (MSU), Gino Guidugil (Cincinnati).
  • Also had a prior stint at Michigan State in 2002-2004 as WR coach, where he coached 2002 Biletnikoff Award winner Charles Rogers, who also went on to become the 2nd overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft.
Treadwell famously stepped into an interim head coaching role at Michigan State following Mark Dantonio's heart attack in 2010. While Dantonio was recovering, Treadwell led the Spartans to a victory over #11 Wisconsin, leading to Treadwell being named the National Coordinator of the Week by Rivals. He leveraged his experience into a head coaching position at his alma mater, Miami (OH), where he seems to be a victim of the peter principle. Regardless, Treadwell is a proven assistant coach who has experience in grooming players of all positions, especially quarterbacks. Furthermore, his B1G experience is something that will be of great value to Kyle Flood as the program makes its transition into a tougher conference.

What do you think? Do you see Don Treadwell as a good fit for quarterbacks coach of the Scarlet Knights? If not, who do you feel is a good choice? Leave a comment below!