Any news regarding D Martin replacement?

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Michigan State has landed the commitment of Air Force transfer outside linebacker/edge rusher David Santiago, following his official visit to East Lansing during the weekend of Dec. 21.

He was offered by the Spartans during his visit to MSU this past weekend.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Santiago will likely play the rush end position for head coach Jonathan Smith, defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Joe Rossi, co-special teams coordinator/rush ends coach Chad Wilt and the Spartans.

More here, via @Brendanmoore101:

Using clips from an entirely different game is an odd choice for the program's socials IMO, though

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Michigan State takes on Maryland Sunday in College Park as the Spartans return to Big Ten play.

The recruiting process is picking up for class of 2026 three-star inside linebacker Mathieu Kanu. The Patriot High School (Nokesville, Virginia) standout now has 10 Division I scholarship offers, including several from Power Four programs.

The latest offer comes from Michigan State, as he has built a strong bond with MSU defensive analyst Chris Gordon. He looks forward to building relationships with head coach Jonathan Smith, defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Joe Rossi and the rest of the Spartans' staff as well.

Additionally, Kanu has already received offers from Central Michigan, Marshall, Maryland, North Carolina, Old Dominion, Penn State, South Carolina, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. That list is likely to continue to grow.

Kanu spoke with Rivals.com to provide his thoughts on the Michigan State offer, highlight which other schools have caught his attention most and provide an update on his general recruitment.

"It felt great getting the offer (from Michigan State)," Kanu told Rivals.com. "Building the bond through the (past couple) months made it more meaningful. The culture that comes with MSU and the fan base (are things that stand out)."

More here:

Charlie played with Al Kaline and was a two-time All-Star in 1956 and 1957, his peak years in the game.

WIKI:

Charles Richard Maxwell (April 8, 1927 – December 27, 2024), sometimes known as "Sunday Charlie", "The Sabbath Slugger", and "Paw Paw", was a left-handed American baseball player who played principally as a left fielder. A native of Michigan, he played professional baseball for 18 seasons, including 14 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Boston Red Sox (1950–52, 1954), Baltimore Orioles (1955), Detroit Tigers (1955–62) and Chicago White Sox (1962–64).

Maxwell was selected to the American League All-Star team in 1956 and 1957. In 1956, he finished among the American League (AL) leaders with a .534 slugging percentage (third in the AL behind Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams); a .326 batting average (fourth in AL behind Mantle, Williams, and Detroit teammate Harvey Kuenn); a .414 on-base percentage (fourth in the AL); and 96 runs (fourth in the AL). He led all American League outfielders in fielding percentage in 1957 (.997) and 1960 (.996), committing only one error in each year. He also finished among the top five home run hitters in the American League in 1956 (28) and 1959 (31).

For his 14 years in the major leagues, Maxwell compiled a .264 batting average, a .360 on-base percentage, and a .451 slugging percentage with 148 home runs, 484 walks, and 532 RBIs. He appeared in 1,133 games, including 781 in left field, 56 in right field, and 43 at first base. He posted a .988 career fielding percentage.

"Sunday Charlie"​

Maxwell became known as "Sunday Charlie", sometimes the "Sabbath Slugger", due to his propensity for hitting home runs on Sundays. The nickname was bestowed in 1959 when Maxwell hit 12 of his 31 home runs (38.7%) on Sundays. The peak of Maxwell's Sunday slugging success came on May 3, 1949, in a doubleheader sweep of the New York Yankees, before a crowd of 43,438. After missing 10 days with a broken finger, Maxwell returned to the lineup and hit four home runs in consecutive at bats: a solo home run into the upper deck of right field against Don Larsen in the seventh inning of the first game; a two-run shot against Duke Maas in the first inning of the second game; a 400-foot three-run shot off the facing of the centerfield bleachers against Johnny Kucks in the fourth inning of the second game; and a 415-foot solo home run into the lower centerfield bleachers against Zach Monroe in the seventh inning of the second game. After Maxwell's fourth shot, the crowd reaction was described as "pandemonium." He joined Ted Williams Bill Nicholson, Hank Greenberg, Jimmy Foxx, and Lou Gehrig as the only modern major leaguers to hit home runs in four consecutive official at bats.

Over the course of his career, Maxwell hit 40 of his 148 home runs (27%) on Sundays. When asked how he was able to hit so many home runs on Sundays, Maxwell replied, "I don't know how but I sure wish I could find out so I cold do it on the other days of the week."

Maxwell's other nicknames included "The South Paw From Paw Paw," (given by the Detroit Tigers announcer Van Patrick because of Maxwell's unusually-named hometown of Paw Paw, Michigan) and "Smokey." He was also sometimes known as "The People's Choice" due to his friendliness with fans and his pregame entertaining of busloads of kids (known as the Knothole Gang) seated in the leftfield stands on Saturdays, including catching fly balls behind his back, or between his legs, and then tossing them to the youngsters.

6 former Florida State players file lawsuit against coach Leonard Hamilton over NIL compensation​

The plaintiffs allege Hamilton promised each of them $250K in NIL payments from the coach’s "business partners"​

Six former Florida State basketball players filed a lawsuit Monday against their former coach, Leonard Hamilton, over unpaid promises of NIL compensation that total $1.5 million and acknowledged within the documents that they boycotted a practice last season over the missed payments.

The legal complaint, filed in Florida’s Leon County circuit court, is an unprecedented and fascinating filing in the era of athlete compensation as roughly half of a former team makes shocking claims against one of college basketball’s more accomplished coaches.

The six plaintiffs — Darin Green Jr., Josh Nickelberry, Primo Spears, Cam’Ron Fletcher, De’Ante Green and Jalen Warley — allege that Hamilton promised each of them $250,000 in NIL payments from the coach’s “business partners.”

The players never received the payments despite Hamilton promising the money to each member of the 2023-24 team in two separate team meetings as well as in individual conversations with some players and their families. Several players transferred to Florida State under the assurance that they would receive the money.

As evidence of the NIL promises, the complaint includes multiple text-message exchanges among players, between players and Hamilton, and between players and Will Cowen, an executive with one of Florida State's NIL collectives.

In one of the more striking revelations, FSU players say they boycotted a practice before a Feb. 17 game against Duke. They “walked out of the gym” during practice to show their frustration over the unpaid NIL promises and they intended to boycott the game as well, the claim says. Hamilton discovered the plan and, in a meeting in the team’s film room, re-emphasized that the money would be in the players’ accounts the very next week. Players competed in the game, losing to the Blue Devils, 76-67.

In several messages to Cowen and in conversations with Hamilton, players communicated that they needed the money to pay taxes, rent and car notes, and that they were “tired of the lies.” In the middle of last season, Green, a team leader, texted Cowen that “this money situation is weighing on a lot of guys and affecting guys on the court” and explained that he was trying to “get the guys to understand” the delay in payment but “it’s hard when they have been told 250 grand.”

FSU finished last season 17-16 and 10-10 in the ACC. The 76-year-old Hamilton has a salary of $2.25 million as part of a five-year contract he struck with the school in 2021. He’s in his 37th season as a head college basketball coach, presiding over the Seminoles program since 2002 and taking them to eight NCAA tournaments and the 2020 ACC regular season championship. This year’s team is 9-4 and 0-2 in the conference and includes six players who participated last season.

Happy New Year Spartans hoops fans!

As we all know, MSU got a great road win over a solid Ohio State team on Friday night to move to 3-0 in Big Ten play, which puts the Spartans in a tie with the team-who-shall-not-be-named for first place.

But how did that win impact MSU's Big Ten title odds? Also, I am pleased to reintroduce one of my favorite sports visuals: the Kenpom scatter plot. Do the Spartans have the statistical profile that is consistent with past National Champions?

Check out this quick data update here

Tom Izzo is at the podium ahead of Thursday's game vs. Washington.

Michigan State (8-2) heads down to Little Caesars Arena in Detroit to take on the Oakland Golden Grizzlies (3-5).

Tonight's game is set to tip off at approximately 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

Stay tuned here for live updates from LCA and game discussion.

@Ryan OBleness, @austenflores and I will be in attendance.

Press release from MSU Athletics:

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Former Michigan State volleyball standout Kristen Kelsay has been named the eighth head volleyball coach in program history. One of MSU's career assist leaders, Kelsay spent the last two seasons as associate head coach at Minnesota.

"I'm thrilled to announce that Kristen Kelsay is returning to East Lansing to guide the Spartan volleyball program," said Alan Haller, Michigan State Vice President & Director of Athletics. "From her time as a Spartan student-athlete to her ascension through the coaching ranks, including nine seasons as a Big Ten assistant, her journey has brought her back home and prepared her well for the task at hand.

"Kristen has a passion for Michigan State University, Spartan volleyball and our entire community, and has first-hand experience with success at MSU both as a student-athlete and a coach. As a player, her work ethic, volleyball IQ, and team-first attitude helped her excel on the court, and those same qualities will be equally impactful as she mentors her student-athletes. She's an excellent recruiter who has strong relationships with volleyball clubs throughout Michigan and the surrounding states. I'm excited to watch her grow as a head coach and pour her heart and soul into building a successful Spartan volleyball program."

At Minnesota, Kelsay worked with the setters and led recruiting efforts for the Golden Gophers. In 2024, Kelsay helped Minnesota to its 10th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and regular-season Top 10 victories over then No. 1-ranked Texas and No. 7-ranked Wisconsin. Setter Melani Shaffmaster was named First Team All-Big Ten, AVCA All-Region and was an AVCA All-America Honorable Mention under Kelsay's coaching. Her 2025 recruiting class was ranked by multiple sites as a top-10 class nationally.

"I am honored to return to Michigan State University as our women's volleyball head coach," said Kelsay. "This program has shaped my life in remarkable ways. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to President Kevin Guskiewicz, Athletic Director Alan Haller, and Executive Senior Associate AD Julee Burgess for this opportunity to return to the Spartan Family.

"I love this University and my passion for all things Green & White is unmatched. I look forward to meeting with the team and reconnecting with our loyal fans, alumni, and Spartan community. Go Green!"

Kelsay had two Big Ten coaching stops prior to Minnesota, serving as an assistant coach at Northwestern from 2019-21 and at Michigan State under former head coach Cathy George from 2015-18.

In 2022, she worked as the associate director and recruiting coordinator of Volleyball Club Nebraska where she was the lead coach for the U16 and U18 Elite teams. Kelsay also assisted with the USA National Team Development Program where she worked with the U15/U16 age group.

As an assistant at MSU, Kelsay helped the team to a four-year record of 85-48 along with an Elite Eight appearance in 2017, the first regional finals appearance for the Spartans since 1996. Kelsay coached Michigan State's all-time assist leader and two-time All-American, Rachel Minarick.

A two-time team captain while wearing the Green & White from 2010-13, Kelsay ranks fourth in program history in sets played (473) and seventh in career assists (3,040). Kelsay set the Spartans to back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances in 2012 and 2013. Following her senior campaign, Kelsay was awarded Michigan State Athletics' Chester Brewer Leadership Award and the Dr. James Feurig Achievement and Service Award. Kelsay also earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors and was a three-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten selection.

After her graduation from MSU, Kelsay was awarded a Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship and served as a graduate assistant in MSU's Student-Athlete Support Services department where she served as an academic counselor and helped oversee the department's community outreach initiatives.

Originally from Wheaton, Illinois, Kelsay graduated from Michigan State with a bachelor's degree in psychology and obtained a master's in sports administration from Northwestern.

BREAKING: Red Wings Fire Lalonde, Name New Head Coach​

As Detroit Red Wings bench boss Derek Lalonde has just found out, the holiday roster freeze around the NHL doesn't apply to head coaches. But hey, at least they waited until after Christmas. The Wings have fired Lalonde and replaced him with NHL coaching veteran Todd McLellan.


McLellan has posted a career .581 win percentage, in 16 years as an NHL head coach, with the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings.


Detroit is a disappointing 13-17-4 this season, after coming into the season hoping to snap an eight-year playoff drought.