There was a lot of marketing for Dan's reputation. He was almost always able to get the benefit of the doubt, from that damn jump pass that put an L on our record at the very start. The making the bowl game thing is great except that it's easier than ever to do that with playing 12 games. Same with the 9 win seasons. Not as impressive in a 12 or 13 game season as in a 10 or 11 game season. Also, being ranked #1 and everybody remember that than the fact we lost 4 of 5 games to end the season. Finally, our weak finish to our up to then strong performance at the Bama game this year. Another L on our record, not to mention our readiness to play in the Egg Bowl. I'm not obsessed by these things; I'm just amazed that nobody seems to be aware of them.

But don't get me too wrong. I liked Dan as a coach and generally enjoyed his years as our coach. But it was always our team, never his, not in the same way. And MSU is still our team. Not his anymore.