Mike Tressel - Football Coach - Michigan State University Athletics

Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography

Mike Tressel

Title:
Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Email:
football@msu.edu
Phone Number:
355-1647

Mike Tressel, who is in his 14th year on the defensive staff at Michigan State, enters his first year as the safeties coach. Tressel served as the program’s linebackers coach from 2007-19 and also was the special teams coordinator his first eight seasons at MSU. In addition, he was the co-defensive coordinator for three seasons (2015-17) and the sole defensive coordinator for two seasons (2018-19), in addition to being the assistant head coach in 2019.

Tressel and Tucker worked previously together at Ohio State in 2002-03. Tressel was a defensive graduate assistant while Tucker was the defensive backs coach for Jim Tressel. The two were on the same defensive staff at OSU under coordinator Mark Dantonio that won the 2002 National Championship.

Tressel has helped construct one of the best defenses in the nation at Michigan State, year in and year out. During Tressel’s tenure at MSU, the Spartans have ranked in the FBS Top 10 in total defense and rushing defense on six occasions (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018). Four of those times, Michigan State also ranked among the nation’s top 10 in scoring defense (2011, 2012, 2013, 2018). Michigan State has led the Big Ten in rushing defense six times since 2007, including No. 1 in the FBS in 2014 and 2018.

The consistent play of the Spartan linebackers under Tressel is one of the main reasons why Michigan State has been so successful on defense during his tenure. Under the guidance of Tressel, Spartan linebackers earned All-Big Ten honors 22 times and All-America accolades on four occasions (Greg Jones: 2009-10; Denicos Allen: 2013; Max Bullough: 2013). Eight Spartan linebackers participated in postseason all-star games under Tressel and five have been invited to the NFL Combine. In addition, MSU’s last four starting middle linebackers who have graduated (Jones, Max Bullough, Taiwan Jones, Riley Bullough) have all played in the NFL, while Joe Bachie signed a rookie free agent deal with the New Orleans Saints for the 2020 season.

Stopping the run has been the main theme on defense, as the Spartans have finished in the Top 20 of the FBS in rushing defense eight of the past nine seasons, checking in at No. 1 in 2018 (77.9 ypg.). In Tressel’s five seasons (2015-19) serving in the coordinator role, Michigan State ranked in the FBS Top 25 in scoring defense and rushing defense three times (2015, 2017, 2018).

The Spartans once again ranked among the FBS leaders in rushing defense (No. 16 at 113.8 ypg) and total defense (No. 18 at 321.6 ypg) in 2019. Defensive end Kenny Willekes became the school's all-time leader in tackles for loss (51) during his senior year and won the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the nation's most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on. Willekes earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for the second time, just the third Spartan defensive end to garner that distinction, and picked up second-team All-America accolades from the Walter Camp Foundation for the second year in a row. Spartan linebackers Joe Bachie (third team, media) and Antjuan Simmons (honorable mention) also picked up All-Big Ten recognition.

Michigan State featured a dominant defense in 2018, ranking No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense (77.9 ypg), No. 8 in scoring defense (17.2 ppg), No. 8 in third-down defense (.302), No. 10 in total defense (303.2 ypg) and No. 10 in first-downs defense (213). For his part in coordinating the defense, Tressel was nominated for the Broyles Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach. It marked the fourth time Michigan State ranked in the FBS Top 10 in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense in the same season during Tressel’s tenure (2011, 2012, 2013, 2018).

Michigan State led the Big Ten in scoring defense in 2018, allowing just 17.2 points per game, which tied for eighth fewest in the FBS. MSU held its opponents to 21 or fewer points 10 times, and although Ohio State scored 26 points on Nov. 10, the defense allowed just 17 points (two TDs and one field goal). After allowing 38 points to Utah State in the season opener – the Aggies ranked second in the FBS in scoring offense (47.5 ppg) – MSU didn’t allow a team to score 30 points again all season.

Michigan State allowed just 12 touchdowns in the red zone, tied for second fewest in the FBS. In addition, Spartan opponents only visited the red zone 30 times all season, tied for third fewest in the FBS, and in giving up 12 TDs, the 40 percent TD mark was third lowest in the nation. Overall, MSU allowed just 24 touchdowns all season, fifth fewest in the FBS, and the defense was responsible for 22 of those TDs. MSU also ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten in conference games in scoring defense (16.6 ppg.).

Michigan State ranked first in the FBS in rushing defense in 2018, allowing just 77.9 yards per game, the fifth-lowest in school history and the lowest since 1999 (76.2 ypg). The Spartans held their opponents to under-100 yards rushing eight times. MSU also ranked first in the Big Ten in conference games in rushing defense (93.8 ypg.) and only gave up 30 rushes of 10-plus yards, tied for second fewest in the FBS.

Mike Tressel

Eight of MSU’s starters on defense earned All-Big Ten recognition, including Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year Kenny Willekes, who led the Big Ten with 20.5 tackles for loss. Willekes was also named a first-team All-American by The Athletic and picked up second-team All-America accolades by the Sporting News, Football Writers Association of America and the Walter Camp Foundation. Joe Bachie became the third Spartan middle linebacker under Tressel to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors, while nose tackle Raequan Williams garnered first-team plaudits from The Associated Press.

For the second straight year, Bachie (Mike) and Andrew Dowell (Star) started every game alongside each other, while Tyriq Thompson (Sam) started 12 games in 2018 to give the Spartans remarkable consistency at linebacker. Bachie led the team in tackles for the second year in a row with 102, while Dowell had his best season as a Spartan in 2018 with a career-best 97 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, nine pass break-ups and 3.5 sacks. Dowell earned an invitation to the Tropicana Spiral Bowl All-Star Game following the 2018 season.

Michigan State’s school-record seven-game turnaround in 2017 that concluded with a 10-3 overall record, a victory in the Holiday Bowl and a No. 15 national ranking by The Associated Press was led by another strong defensive effort. MSU ranked among the FBS Top 20 leaders in rushing defense (second at 95.3 ypg), total defense (seventh at 297.6 ypg), first-downs defense (ninth with 206), team passing efficiency defense (17^th with 113.5 rating), third-down defense (18^th at .328) and scoring defense (19^th at 20.0 ppg).

The trio of Bachie (Mike), Dowell (Star) and Chris Frey (Sam) started every game at linebacker in 2017. In his first season as the starting middle linebacker, Bachie led the team with 100 tackles to earn the Governor’s Award (team MVP), becoming the first Spartan sophomore to win the award since 2004. Frey, a senior captain, capped his career by winning Defensive MVP honors in the Holiday Bowl, while Dowell recorded 74 tackles in starting all 13 games at Star linebacker.

Tressel helped construct a defense that once again ranked among the nation's best in 2015 during MSU’s run to the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff. The Spartans finished ranked in the FBS Top 25 in forced turnovers (ninth with 28), interceptions (23rd with 15), sacks (23rd at 2.64 pg.) and scoring defense (25th at 21.7 ppg.), and were 26th in total defense (349.9 ypg.). During MSU's last four games against Big Ten opponents, which included two top-five wins (No. 2 Ohio State, No. 4 Iowa), the Spartans only allowed 12.5 points per game and under 100 yards rushing per game (91.8 ypg.).

Although the Spartans lost preseason All-Big Ten linebacker Ed Davis to a season-ending knee injury in preseason camp and featured two new starters in 2015, the unit didn't miss a beat. MSU held six opponents under 100 yards rushing, including No. 2 Ohio State (86 yards), No. 4 Iowa (52) and No. 12 Michigan (62). In addition, the Spartans held No. 7 Oregon to 123 rushing yards, the Ducks' lowest rushing output since 2013. Riley Bullough, who earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2015, led the team with a career-high 106 stops during MSU’s Big Ten Championship season. He recently completed his second season in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018.

Entering 2014, Tressel had the challenge of filling two starting positions left vacant by three-year starters and All-Americans Denicos Allen and Max Bullough, all while rotating veteran Taiwan Jones from the outside to middle linebacker. But the results remained the same, as Michigan State ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 88.5 yards per game. The Spartans became just the second program since the Big Ten began awarding stat champions for all games in 1985 to lead the league in rushing defense four years in a row. Michigan State, which also ranked No. 8 nationally in total defense (315.8 ypg.), was the only school in the FBS to rank in the Top 10 in total defense from 2011-14 (No. 6 in 2011, No. 4 in 2012, No. 2 in 2013, No. 8 in 2014).

Jones, a second-team All-Big Ten choice by the coaches, made the successful transition to the middle his senior season after starting two years at Star (weakside) linebacker. He posted career bests in tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (4), and ranked second on the team in tackles (60). Jones was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and spent two seasons (2015-16) on the roster for the New York Jets.

During Michigan State's Big Ten and Rose Bowl Championship season in 2013, the linebackers led the way for the only defense in the FBS to rank among the top three in rushing defense (No. 2 at 86.6 ypg.), total defense (No. 2 at 252.2 ypg.), scoring defense (No. 3 at 13.2 ppg.) and passing defense (No. 3 at 165.6 ypg.).

Bullough, a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, was the quarterback of the league's top-ranked defense in 2013. A third-team All-America honoree by The Associated Press, Bullough ranked third on the team in both tackles (76) and tackles for loss (9.5). He closed his career with 40 starts at middle linebacker and ranked 11th in school history in tackles for loss (30.5) and 18th in tackles (299). Bullough spent three seasons (2014-16) in the NFL playing for the Houston Texans.

Allen picked up second-team All-America accolades from SI.com. He led the team with a career-high 98 tackles as a senior and also led the team with 16.5 tackles for loss, good for seventh most in an MSU single-season. Allen finished his career ranked third in the school record book with 46 career tackles for loss. He capped his illustrious career with seven tackles, including 1.5 for losses, in the 100th Rose Bowl Game against No. 5 Stanford, and was named to the SI.com All-Bowl Team and ESPN.com Big Ten All-Bowl Team.

The Spartans finished the 2012 season ranked fourth in the FBS in total defense (273.3 ypg.) and eighth in rushing defense (98.6 ypg.). Bullough, a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches in 2012, led the Spartans in tackles for the second year in a row with a career-high 111 stops as a junior.

In 2011, Michigan State led the Big Ten in rushing defense (100.5 yards per game) and total defense (277.4 ypg.) en route to winning the Big Ten Legends Division title. For the first time since 1990, all three of MSU's starting linebackers garnered All-Big Ten honors. Allen, who ranked second in the Big Ten in sacks with 11 and fourth in tackles for loss with 18.5, was named second-team all-conference by the media. Bullough picked up second-team accolades from the coaches after leading the Spartans with 89 tackles and junior Chris Norman was named honorable mention after recording career highs in tackles (76) and tackles for loss (6.5).

Tressel mentored Greg Jones and Eric Gordon from 2007-10, two of the top linebackers in the nation who combined for 796 tackles in their careers.

A back-to-back first-team consensus All-American, Jones led the Spartans in tackles (106), forced fumbles (3) and quarterback hurries (6) and ranked tied for first in tackles for loss (10 for 20 yards) during MSU's Big Ten Championship season in 2010. He became just the seventh player in program history to receive first-team All-Big Ten honors three times. A model of consistency, Jones became only the second player in MSU history to lead the Spartans in tackles for four straight seasons (linebacker Dan Bass, 1976-79). The Cincinnati, Ohio, native became the first Spartan to win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year accolades after collecting 154 tackles in 2009, the most in the conference and third nationally.

Jones was selected in the sixth round (No. 185 overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft by the New York Giants and was a member of the Super Bowl Champion team that defeated New England in Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. He spent two seasons in the NFL (2011-12) and three seasons in the CFL (2014-16).

Gordon started 49 games, including 40 consecutive starting assignments, and finished his career ranked among MSU's all-time leaders in tackles for loss (10th with 29) and tackles (12th with 331).

Tressel also oversaw a successful special teams unit from 2007-14 that was one of the best in the Big Ten under his direction. During his time as special teams coach, MSU had two first-team All-Big Ten placekickers (Dan Conroy and Brett Swenson), two first-team All-Big Ten punters (Mike Sadler and Aaron Bates), and featured conference leaders in kick returns (Devin Thomas), punt returns (Keshawn Martin), field goals (Swenson) and field-goal percentage (Swenson, Michael Geiger).

Sadler, who was selected a first-team All-American by CBSSports.com and ESPN.com in 2013, finished his career ranked among MSU's all-time leaders in punts (second with 268), punting yards (second with 11,307) and punting average (sixth at 42.2), and became the first four-time Academic All-American in school history. Geiger, a first-team Freshman All-America selection by the Football Writers Association of America, set the MSU single-season field-goal percentage record (.938; 15 of 16) in 2013.

In 2010, Bates ranked first in the Big Ten and 13th in the nation with his 45.0-yard punting average to earn first-team All-Big Ten accolades and second-team All-America honors by SI.com. In addition, Martin ranked first in the conference and 11th nationally in punt returns (14.2 avg.), and Conroy was a first-team All-Big Ten selection after going 14-for-15 in field goals during his first year as the starting placekicker.

Not only did the unit rank among the national leaders statistically in 2010, but it also delivered in the clutch. Four of the biggest plays during Michigan State's Big Ten Championship season arrived on special teams, including: Bates' 29-yard completion to Charlie Gantt on a fake field goal in overtime that won the game against Notre Dame; Martin's 72-yard punt return for a touchdown that gave MSU the lead for good in the win over Wisconsin; Bates' 21-yard pass to Bennie Fowler on a fake punt in the fourth quarter that sparked MSU's comeback at Northwestern; and Denicos Allen's blocked punt late in the fourth quarter against Purdue that led to the game-winning touchdown.

MSU's Big Ten Championship season in 2010 was not the first year Tressel's special teams unit achieved success. Swenson, a first-team All-Big Ten placekicker, became MSU's all-time leader in field goals (71), points scored (377) and extra points (164) during the 2009 season. Swenson, who was named a Lou Groza Award semifinalist, finished his career tied for third in Big Ten history with his 71 field goals. Swenson tied a then-school record in 2008 with 22 field goals en route to being named second-team All-Big Ten.

Martin anchored the kick return team in 2009, which ranked eighth nationally, averaging 25.9 yards per return. Martin was the 11th-ranked return man in the nation (28.9-yard avg.). He ran back the opening kickoff of the second half at Minnesota 93 yards for a touchdown, MSU's first kick return for a TD since 2005, and accumulated 176 kick return yards in the game, the third-highest single-game figure in MSU history. Martin also recorded an 85-yard return at Purdue in compiling 166 kick return yards against the Boilermakers for the seventh-best total in school history. In 2007, Devin Thomas established a Big Ten record with 1,135 kick return yards.

Tressel arrived at Michigan State following the 2006 regular season, as he was one of eight assistants to follow Dantonio to MSU from Cincinnati.

Tressel played a key role in Cincinnati's success over his three seasons, as the Bearcats earned two bowl invitations. During the 2006 regular season, UC ranked among the national leaders in rushing defense (No. 27 at 107.5 yards per game), total defense (No. 31 at 304.3 ypg.) and scoring defense (No. 34 at 19.3 points per game). In addition, the Bearcats held seven of its 12 regular-season opponents to less than 100 yards rushing. In 2006, Tressel coached linebacker Kevin McCullough, who received first-team All-BIG EAST honors after leading the team in tackles (72) and tackles for losses (14.5 for 36 yards).

In 2005, he helped develop Corey Smith into a third-team Freshman All-American and second-team All-BIG EAST selection. In his first season at Cincinnati, Tressel's starting linebackers ranked first, third and fifth on the team in tackles, with both Jamar Enzor (second team) and Tyjuan Hagler (third team) garnering All-Conference USA honors. Hagler was taken by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

Prior to joining Dantonio's staff at Cincinnati, Tressel spent two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Ohio State (2002-03), where he contributed to the Buckeyes' National Championship team in 2002.

Tressel previously coached at Wartburg (Iowa) College for four seasons (1998-01), helping the school to a combined record of 36-4 including one conference title. At Wartburg, he served as offensive line coach for three years before assuming the role of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the 2001 season.

A four-year starter in the secondary at Cornell (Iowa) College, Tressel became a two-time Academic All-American in football and a five-time Academic All-America selection overall (1994 football, second team; 1994 wrestling, second team; 1995 football, first team; 1995 wrestling, second team; 1996 wrestling, first team). Following graduation in 1996, he launched his coaching career at South Dakota as a graduate assistant for two seasons (1996-97), working on the offensive side of the football.

He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Cornell (Iowa) College in 1996 and received a master's degree in sports administration from South Dakota in 1998.

Tressel comes from a bloodline of successful coaches, as his uncle Jim Tressel won four NCAA I-AA championships at Youngstown State before leading Ohio State to the 2002 National Championship. His grandfather, Lee Tressel, ranked as one of the winningest coaches in Division III history and won a National Championship at Baldwin-Wallace College. His father Richard, who spent 23 seasons as head coach at Hamline, coached 11 seasons at Ohio State.
He and his wife Megan have two children: Logan and Quincy.

THE TRESSEL FILE

YEARS AT MICHIGAN STATE: 14th. Joined staff on Dec. 1, 2006, from Cincinnati.

PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE: College - Graduate assistant coach at South Dakota (1996-97); offensive line coach (1998-2000) and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (2001) at Wartburg (Iowa) College; graduate assistant linebackers coach at Ohio State (2002-03); linebackers and special teams coach at Cincinnati (2004-06).

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in mathematics from Cornell (Iowa) College in 1996; master's degree in sports administration at South Dakota in 1998.

PLAYING EXPERIENCE: College - Four-year starter in the secondary at Cornell (Iowa) College (1992-95).

POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE: Coach - 1999 NCAA Division III Playoffs, 2003 Fiesta Bowl, 2004 Fiesta Bowl, 2004 Fort Worth Bowl, 2007 Champs Sports Bowl, 2009 Capital One Bowl, 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl, 2011 Capital One Bowl, 2012 Outback Bowl, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, 2014 Rose Bowl, 2015 Cotton Bowl, 2015 College Football Playoff (Cotton Bowl), 2017 Holiday Bowl, 2018 Redbox Bowl, 2019 Pinstripe Bowl.

BIG TEN STAT CHAMPIONS: Rushing Defense (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018); Scoring Defense (2012, 2013, 2018); Total Defense (2011, 2012, 2013); Sacks (2011).

FBS TOP 10 STAT RANKINGS: Rushing Defense (No. 9 in 2011, No. 8 in 2012, No. 2 in 2013, No. 1 in 2014, No. 2 in 2017, No. 1 in 2018); Scoring Defense (No. 10 in 2011, No. 9 in 2012, No. 3 in 2013, No. 8 in 2018); Total Defense (No. 6 in 2011, No. 4 in 2012, No. 2 in 2013, No. 8 in 2014, No. 7 in 2017, No. 10 in 2018)

ALL-BIG TEN PLAYERS (LINEBACKERS, 2007-19; CO-DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, 2015-17; DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, 2018-19; SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR, 2007-14): LB Greg Jones (first team, 2008, 2009, 2010); PK Brett Swenson (first team, 2009); PK Dan Conroy (first team, 2010); LB Eric Gordon (second team, 2010); P Aaron Bates (first team, 2010); P Mike Sadler (first team, 2012, 2013); LB Max Bullough (first team, 2012, 2013; second team, 2011); LB Denicos Allen (second team, 2011, 2013); LB Taiwan Jones (second team, 2014); DE Shilique Calhoun (first team, 2015); DL Malik McDowell (second team, 2015, 2016); LB Riley Bullough (second team, 2015; third team, 2016); S Demetrious Cox (third team, 2015); LB Darien Harris (third team, 2015); LB Joe Bachie (third team, 2019; first team, 2018; third team, 2017); S David Dowell (first team, 2017; third team, 2018); CB Josiah Scott (second team, 2019; third team, 2017); DE Kenny Willekes (first team, 2018, 2019; third team, 2017); CB Justin Layne (second team, 2018); DT Raequan Williams (third team, 2018, 2019).

MAJOR AWARD WINNERS: LB Greg Jones (Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, 2009); DE Kenny Willekes (Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, 2018; Burlsworth Trophy, 2019)

ALL-AMERICANS (LINEBACKERS, 2007-18; CO-DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, 2015-17; DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, 2018; SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR, 2007-14): LB Greg Jones (first team, 2009-10); P Aaron Bates (second team, 2010); LB Max Bullough (third team, 2013); LB Denicos Allen (second team, 2013); P Mike Sadler (first team, 2013); DE Shilique Calhoun (second team, 2013, 2014, 2015); DL Malik McDowell (second team, 2016); DE Kenny Willekes (first team, 2018)

FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICANS: LB Greg Jones (2007)

NFL DRAFT PICKS (LINEBACKERS): Cincinnati: LB Tyjuan Hagler (Colts, fifth round, 2005); Michigan State: LB Greg Jones (Giants, sixth round, 2011)

NFL PLAYERS (LINEBACKERS): Cincinnati: LB Jamar Enzor (Jets, 2005); LB Tyjuan Hagler (Colts, 2006-2010); Michigan State: LB Greg Jones (Giants, 2011; Jaguars, 2012); LB Max Bullough (Texans, 2014-16); LB Taiwan Jones (Jets, 2016); LB Riley Bullough (Buccaneers, 2017-18).