What MSU DC Joe Rossi had to say about spring practice, defense progression

Michigan State is looking to build off a strong end to the year defensively, and the man who led that strong finish is back leading that unit again.

Michigan State defensive coordinator Joe Rossi is back for his third season with the Spartans -- he was one of the few coaches retained from the previous staff. With Rossi's return, it appears the defense is ahead of schedule this spring and continuing to progress under the entire new staff.

Rossi met with the local media on Tuesday to discuss how spring practice is going so far, highlights some positives from what he's seen on the defensive side of the ball. Here are some of the highlights from Rossi's media availability session this week:

• Rossi stated he's excited to be back for another season at Michigan State, and noted he's expecting big things under the new coaching staff.
• Rossi said "we will win here, we will have great defenses here."
• Rossi added that he had some opportunities at other Big Ten schools but was "adamant" about wanting to return to Michigan State under new head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
• Rossi said he will continue to be on the sidelines during games this upcoming season -- he switched from being in the coaches box to the sidelines midway through last season.
• Rossi had high praise for new co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Max Bullough -- "Coach Bullough brings energy, enthusiasm, he has the lineage, he knows what it is to be a Spartan. He wanted to return here, he was enthusiastic."
• Rossi went on to say the entire defensive coaching staff is bringing the "juice" now.
• Rossi spoke highly of senior captain linebacker Jordan Hall, stating he loves how he plays and his overall handle on the game.
• Full quote from Rossi on Hall -- courtesy of Spartan Shadow's Emmett Matasovsky: "I love how Jordan Hall plays. He wants to play well, he wants to win, he wants to get coached. He wants to grow, he has been that way from the very beginning. I came in with a list of things he needs to get better at, and it resonated. I like those people."
• Rossi called out a trio of young players as potential playmakers this upcoming season: "Derrick Simmons has a high upside, Mikeshun Beeler is the same way, dealt with injuries last year. Adds athleticism and twitch. Brady Pretzlaff has been doing some good things."
• Rossi said the Spartans picked up some "good transfers" this offseason. He specifically called out Michael Richard, Devin Vaught and Kenny Soares Jr.
• Rossi declined the opportunity to compare this year's team to last year's stating "It is a different group. We got a bunch of new players, new coaches, new culture."
• Rossi mentioned the importance of getting veteran safety Nikai Martinez to return for another season. Added he could have left for another opportunity but loves Michigan State.

Additionally, here is a video of the full press conference -- courtesy of SpartanMag:

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: What MSU DC Joe Rossi had to say about spring practice, defense progression