Michigan State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell has been hired by Miami (Ohio) as its new head coach. Miami's old coach, Mike Haywood, left to become the new head coach of Pittsburgh. As soon as the job at Miami opened up Treadwell became one of the favorites, so it's no surprise that he has taken up the offer to become the RedHawks' new coach.
Treadwell played at Miami from 1978-81 and was a captain during his time there as a player. Now he is returning to the school to be its head football coach after spending four seasons in East Lansing as Michigan State's offensive coordinator and receivers coach. He has been one of MSU's top assistants ever since Mark Dantonio took over the program, and he is definitely deserving of getting a shot at being a head coach.
During this season, Treadwell served as Michigan State's acting head coach for two games because Dantonio was recovering from a heart attack. Michigan State won both games, including a very well coached game against Wisconsin. After that game it was pretty obvious that Treadwell would get an opportunity to be a head coach somewhere if he wanted to leave MSU, and ending up going back to Miami is a very good situation for him.
Treadwell will finish his time with Michigan State tomorrow by coaching in the Capital One Bowl. After that he will head to the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Jan. 6 to watch his new team play Middle Tennessee State. Miami will introduce him as its new head coach on Jan. 10.
Via Adam Rittenberg, here are statements on this news from Mark Dantonio, MSU athletic director Mark Hollis and Don Treadwell:
Mark Dantonio
"Don Treadwell will be an outstanding head coach - he comes from a great background of coaches and he's ready for this position. He will serve his players well, not only as a coach but as someone they will look up to for the rest of their lives. To go back and do this at his alma mater makes it even more special to him. I know he's extremely excited for this next challenge in his life. We will miss Don and his family deeply here at Michigan State, and I will miss him personally, but this is his opportunity, his time.
"He did a phenomenal job stepping in while I was down, continuing to keep our system in place while showing incredible composure, which is one of his greatest attributes. So often, a team reflects its leader. At that point in time, leadership was thrust upon Don Treadwell. It was thrust upon our players, it was thrust upon all of our coaches, but in particular Coach Tread. They took on that persona of quiet confidence, assurance, and composure. You saw our team play like that, especially in the Wisconsin game, which was maybe our biggest win of the entire season. He was instrumental in helping us build a foundation with our program."
Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis
"Even prior to this year, there was no question Don Treadwell was prepared for a head coaching job. In the unfortunate situation with coach Dantonio, he just shined throughout that entire process, not only holding the team together but being the face to represent Michigan State football publicly. There's no doubt in my mind that he has both the football knowledge and the presence to bring a community together to make Miami's program continue to thrive and get better and better. He's been a head coach with us, and now he'll have his own program to run."
Don Treadwell
"It's a dream come true to return to my alma mater, Miami, as head football coach. Miami has always held a special place in my heart, and the opportunity to be a part of the 'Cradle of Coaches' is a privilege as well as a responsibility. I have a blueprint for success for our student-athletes: in the classroom, on the playing field and in the community. Everyone in the program plays an important role, and with all of us heading in the same direction, we can add a new chapter to the rich tradition of Miami football. I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and get started."