Michigan State assistant coach Chris Kapilovic has an addition to his job title.
The offensive line coach and run game coordinator on Wednesday was named assistant head coach to Mel Tucker, the program announced. Kapilovic will continue to serve as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator.
“I believe Kap is among the best offensive line coaches in the country, college or pro,” Tucker said in a university press release. “He not only puts a premium on technique and fundamentals, but also is an excellent motivator who is extremely passionate about the game of football. He understands the culture and goals of this program and is determined to get the best out of each and every player, every single day. He is a relentless and effective recruiter, and I feel very fortunate to have him as a true leader on our staff.”
Tucker is coming off his first season leading the Spartans and brought Kapilovic with him from Colorado after the two worked together in 2019. Michigan State didn’t have an assistant head coach this season while finishing 2-5 and then-defensive coordinator Mike Tressel held the title under Mark Dantonio in 2019 before Dantonio retired.
Tressel, who coached safeties this season, was officially named Cincinnati’s new defensive coordinator on Wednesday afternoon – a move Tucker confirmed last week. The Spartans haven’t named a replacement for Tressel after Tucker last week said they’d probably have it wrapped up by the weekend.
Kapilovic, 52, began his professional coaching career in high school and has spent the last two decades in college. He spent time at Alabama State, Missouri State, Southern Mississippi and North Carolina before Tucker hired him at Colorado in 2019. Kapilovic followed Tucker to East Lansing in February and signed a two-year contract with an annual salary of $700,000.
Michigan State returned nine offensive linemen this season who started at least one game in 2019 but the group didn’t show the growth some expected. The Spartans ranked 122nd in the nation in rushing at 91.4 yards per game and had only two rushing touchdowns – one by quarterback Payton Thorne and the other by tight end Tyler Hunt. Michigan State topped 100 yards rushing in only two games and they were its two wins – at Michigan and against Northwestern.
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