Baldwin Named Spartan Offensive Coordinator
12/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 30, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Former San Jose State and Cal State Northridge head coach Dave Baldwin has been named offensive coordinator at Michigan State, Spartan first-year coach John L. Smith announced Monday, Dec. 30.
The 47-year-old Baldwin comes to Michigan State following one season at Baylor where he served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Kevin Steele. In 2002, Baylor finished sixth in the Big 12 Conference in passing offense, averaging 231.5 yards per game. Senior wide receiver Reggie Newhouse, a second-team All-Big 12 selection, set Baylor single-season records for receptions (75) and receiving yards (1,140). Newhouse also completed the regular-season rated among the NCAA leaders in catches (No. 18 at 6.25 per game) and receiving yards (No. 17 at 95.0 per game).
Baldwin spent the 2001 season as offensive coordinator at Cincinnati under Rick Minter, helping the Bearcats to a 7-5 record and a trip to the Motor City Bowl. Cincinnati ranked among the Conference USA leaders in every offensive category, finishing second in passing offense (269.8 yards per game), third in total offense (416.3 yards), third in scoring offense (29.1 points) and fourth in rushing offense (146.5 yards). The Bearcats also were listed among the national leaders in passing offense (No. 25), total offense (No. 36) and scoring offense (No. 36). Baldwin coached 2001 C-USA Freshman of the Year Gino Guidugli, who finished second in the league in passing (257.3 yards) and third in passing efficiency (137.5 rating). Cincinnati's offense also produced C-USA's leading receiver in LaDaris Vann, who caught 6.64 passes per game.
"Dave Baldwin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our coaching staff," Smith said. "Thanks to his background with Jack Elway and Dennis Erickson, he knows how to spread the field and throw the football. Dave has a great understanding of our offensive system."
"I'm excited about joining John L. Smith's coaching staff," Baldwin said. "I have a great deal of respect for John L. He's a man of values who knows how to get the most out of his players. John L. certainly knows how to build winning football programs and that's our challenge here at Michigan State.
"It's also a privilege to coach in the Big Ten where football means everything. Teams play before a packed house every weekend in this league. I love the physical style of play in the Big Ten, because it is second to none. I'm in heaven coaching here at Michigan State."
Baldwin previously served as head coach and offensive play-caller at San Jose State for four years (1997-2000) where he compiled an 18-27 record (.400), including three straight wins over Stanford (1998-2000).
In 2000, San Jose State produced a 7-5 worksheet - its best mark in eight years - including victories over Stanford (40-27) and ninth-ranked Texas Christian (27-24), that ended the nation's longest winning streak at 12 games. The Spartans ranked among the NCAA leaders in every offensive category in 2000, finishing No. 26 in rushing offense (189.1 yards per game), No. 26 in total offense (417.3 yards), No. 30 in scoring offense (31.2 points) and No. 40 in passing offense (228.3 yards). San Jose State's offense also featured the nation's fourth-leading rusher in Deonce Whitaker, who averaged 157.7 yards per game.
His 1999 San Jose State team knocked off Rose Bowl-bound Stanford, 44-39. The Spartans again finished among the national leaders in passing offense in 1999, ranking No. 30 at 249.0 yards per game.
San Jose State opened the 1998 season with a 35-23 victory at Stanford - its first win over a Pac-10 opponent in eight years.
His 1997 Spartan squad produced a 4-7 record overall, including a 4-4 mark in Western Athletic Conference play. It marked the first time in four years that the Spartans had reached the .500 mark in league games. In 1997, San Jose State also posted its first win over a ranked opponent since 1990, upsetting No. 24 Air Force, 25-22.
Prior to taking over the San Jose State head coaching position, Baldwin posted a 9-12 record (.429) in two seasons at Cal State Northridge (1995-96). In 1996, he guided Cal State Northridge to a 7-4 mark - the school's first winning season in four years at the NCAA I-AA level.
Baldwin produced a 31-21 record (.596) in five years as a head coach at the junior college level. In 1994, he led Santa Rosa (Calif.) Junior College to an 8-3 ledger, including a trip to the Lions Bowl. He went 23-18 (.561) in four seasons at Santa Barbara City College (1990-93). In 1991, Baldwin earned California Community College Region III Coach of the Year honors after helping the Vaqueros to a 9-2 record and a berth in the Potato Bowl.
He spent 10 years as an assistant coach under Jack Elway, first as a graduate assistant at Cal State Northridge in 1979 and then as receivers coach at San Jose State for four years (1980-83) and Stanford for five seasons (1984-88). While coaching at San Jose State, he also worked along side offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dennis Erickson. In 1988, Baldwin became the Cardinal passing game coordinator.
The 1986 Stanford team finished 8-4 and earned a trip to the Gator Bowl. It marked the only postseason appearance for the Cardinal in the 1980s.
During his four-year stint as an assistant at San Jose State, the Spartans produced three winning seasons, including the 1981 Pacific Coast Athletic Association championship and a berth in the California Raisin Bowl. Baldwin also tutored four Spartan receivers that went on to play in the National Football League: Mark Nichols, Stacey Bailey, Mervyn Fernandez and Tim Kearse.
He began his coaching career in 1978 as an assistant coach at Granada Hills (Calif.) High School.
Married to the former Kathleen Keiley, Baldwin and his wife are the parents of three children, Sean (23), Ryan (18) and Keiley (15).
