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Hey Hondo! Answering Your Michigan State Football Questions: Smith, Tucker, Cousins

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Hey Hondo!  Answering Your Michigan State Football Questions:  Smith, Tucker, Cousins


The Spartan Nation is fortunate to have one of the most storied college football programs.

With multiple national titles and single-handedly breaking the color barrier, along with a lineage of players who are genuinely the who’s who of the sport, the heritage is fantastic.

So today, I set out to answer some of your questions regarding the football program.

Hondo, I remember watching the Michigan State basketball game (I think it was Indiana), and shortly after, you broke that the Spartans had hired Mel Tucker.  You said he was at least the fifth choice. Can you tell us what happened?  Cory B.  Mason, Mi

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Michigan State’s then-AD Bill Beekman essentially hired a search firm to help select the next coach. I can understand a firm doing background checks since that is private, but to hand the process over the way they did was a joke, in my opinion. If an AD needs that much assistance at one of his most important jobs, get a new one. 

By the way, I am not blaming Beekman; I am squarely blaming the MSU leadership above him.  Beekman was put in an impossible position.

Pat Narduzzi, former DC at Michigan State and now Pittsburgh Panthers coach, was offered the job twice—yes, twice, before and after signing day. He turned it down twice; additionally, others were considered and could have had the job. 

Michigan State was woefully unprepared for the lack of interest in the job and overpaid to finally get a yes; from what I saw, it was an unprepared candidate. 

Additionally, it was an Illinois game in Champaign, and I was in the press room when I broke it.

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Hondo, I’m glad you’re answering MSU questions now.  I know you broke the Mel Tucker story, but you said it was a bad hire at the time.  What did you see?  Sam W.  Detroit, MI

He had a losing record as only a one-year coach. Certain schools, MSU being one, are not where guys go to learn how to be a head coach.  He moved around consistently, and what I heard when making calls was far from impressive.  What I learned in a few phone calls was certainly what a prepared Michigan State should have gotten.

Hondo, my man, can’t say enough to have you answering the q and a of Spartan Nation.  Mad props dog.  Great to see your career skyrocket, and when you Tweeted out your love for Jonathan Smith and all the repping you did on Twitter, I knew he was our guy.  Tell me what you think of the new guy so far.  Jesse T.

Jonathan Smith was not the most prominent name available, but he was, in my opinion, and I said before they hired him, the best coach.  He is a great man, teacher, coach, leader, and guy.  MSU hit a homerun by hiring him, and he is the best hire since Nick Saban.  Unfortunately, college football is not the same game it was then, and other things hamper and foster winning than just that.  Coaching in college and Michigan State at this time is significantly more complicated than it was for Nick, and I believe he would tell you that.

Are you buying or selling on MSU football and Smith using the Las Vegas term Hondo?  Larry N.

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I’m buying for sure, but as mentioned above, college football is dramatically different now.  As one head coach told me, “It used to matter that you were a good coach, had good facilities, and could recruit.  Now, bad coaches, bad facilities, and the ability to recruit don’t matter as much.”  I want Smith to succeed, and he is good enough.  The biggest question is if Spartan Nation wants to be a dominant program.

Hondo, I know you have been an outspoken supporter of Jonathan Smith; what will be the biggest key to his success in East Lansing?  Shawn B.  Grand Rapids, MI

Money for NIL.  Great man with excellent facilities and a terrific staff.  He has already proven he can get and develop players.  Once they emerge, keeping them will hinge on NIL paying them.  He can do all the right things, but he has to have the NIL to keep them here; if not, he becomes the minor leagues for teams with money to let him develop them, and then they swoop in and buy them.

Hondo, what do you think of the Spartans’ new QB?  Is he the real deal?  Samantha K.  Midland, MI

Aidan Chiles is the absolute real deal.  He can do it all, and most importantly, he can run it Smith’s way.  MSU is fortunate to have him, a terrific player and a better young man.

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Hondo, my friends, and I have argued this for years, and you are just the man to settle it. In your opinion, would MSU have done better with Kirk Cousins at quarterback with the Connor Cook teams? Like winning a national title?  Kenny L.

No.  I respect and love Kirk.  Connor had the personality and mental makeup that was needed.  I do not think Kirk would have done some of the intangibles that made Cook great for that team. 

If I had been an NFL team selecting either, I would have taken Kirk every time, but on those teams no.  In my opinion, the Spartans won despite their offensive coaching leadership, not because of it.  Cook overcame them. Kirk, more talented, wouldn’t have taken some risks like Cook and would have adhered more.

Hondo, I love listening to you on the Radio. Now that you are taking MSU football questions, this one is about the Big Ten. Because of NIL or other issues, what team is not being talked about in the Big Ten?  Jan A.

No doubt, Nebraska.  Great coaching, and they will be an NIL giant in the coming years.

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If you have a question regarding Michigan State football, basketball, or the athletic program in general, please send it to, and when you do, put in the subject line MSU Q & A

Don’t forget to follow the official Spartan Nation Page on Facebook Spartan Nation WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be a part of our vibrant community group Go Green Go White as well WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.



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Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for Dec. 16, 2025

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Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for Dec. 16, 2025


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The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 16, 2025, results for each game:

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Winning Daily 3 numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

Midday: 8-9-0

Evening: 9-0-2

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

Midday: 8-7-2-6

Evening: 5-6-3-7

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Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

03-04-19-24-39, Lucky Ball: 11

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Poker Lotto numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

QS-KS-AS-5C-5D

Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

11-20-31-32-38

11-18-28-29-34

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Keno numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

09-17-22-23-24-27-30-36-43-44-49-51-55-58-59-60-62-69-70-71-73-79

Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here.

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Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lottery’s Regional Offices.

To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to:

Michigan Lottery

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Attn: Claim Center

101 E. Hillsdale

P.O. Box 30023

Lansing, MI 48909

For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a driver’s license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2.

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If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows:

  • Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325
  • Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325
  • Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325
  • Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325
  • Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325
  • Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325

For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery’s prize claim page.

When are Michigan Lottery drawings held?

  • Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m.
  • Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily
  • Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily
  • Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday
  • Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily
  • Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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‘Michigan is like an oil field’: Why the coaching search could deliver an elite upgrade despite the chaos

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‘Michigan is like an oil field’: Why the coaching search could deliver an elite upgrade despite the chaos


CLEV ELAND, Ohio — The Michigan coaching search has dominated college football headlines this week, creating both uncertainty and opportunity for the defending national champions.

Despite the chaotic nature of the situation, college football analyst Josh Pate makes a compelling case that Michigan will ultimately emerge with a significant upgrade at head coach.

“I think they’re going to end up so much better for this. They’re not in a great place right now, but I mean once the fog clears, like Michigan will have clearly upgraded at their head coaching position,” Pate claims on the latest episode of his podcast, setting an optimistic tone despite the current turmoil.

One of the most significant developments has been Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer’s definitive statement removing himself from consideration.

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“I don’t think Kalen DeBoer is going anywhere. Feel pretty good about our sourcing on that,” Pate said. “You guys are free to believe whatever you want, but I do believe that he’ll be at Alabama this Friday and well beyond this Friday, no matter what the outcome of that game is. I hope I’ve been pretty clear there.”

With DeBoer firmly committed to Alabama, the podcast makes an impassioned case for Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham as the ideal candidate to revitalize Michigan’s program.

“I think Kenny Dillingham is a wonderful candidate for Michigan. That would be the guy that I would pursue,” Pate said. “I look at that guy and I see what he’s done in terms of quarterback development. I see what he’s done in terms of lighting a fan base on fire. I love the energy. I love the passion. I love how much his guys will go over a cliff for him.”

What makes this endorsement particularly compelling is the podcast’s vivid metaphor about Michigan’s untapped potential and why someone with Dillingham’s energy could be transformational.

“Michigan is like an oil field. I’ve been watching Land Man lately. It’s like an oil field that really hasn’t been drilled properly,” Pate said. “When you do, money is flying all over the place. It’s there. It’s there. I’ve got it on good word. A little birdie has flown in my ear recently and told me, you know, maybe since the Sherrone Moore firing, there’s a little bit of an uptick even in NIL contribution.”

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This assessment suggests Michigan’s NIL and donor resources remain largely untapped, creating an opportunity for an energetic, passionate coach like Dillingham to unlock unprecedented support.

Pate notes that despite Michigan’s recent national championship, no one has “really drilled deep at Michigan yet” when it comes to maximizing resources in college football’s new era.

The podcast also addresses the complexity of the search process, noting it’s moving “way differently than the Penn State search” with Michigan employing “search firm stages” that will lead to a search committee.

This methodical approach suggests Michigan is prioritizing making the right hire rather than the fastest hire.

Other candidates mentioned include Lincoln Riley, Eli Drinkwitz and Jedd Fisch, though the podcast clearly positions Dillingham as the transformational choice who could best capitalize on Michigan’s dormant potential.

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Interestingly, the podcast draws a distinction between Dillingham and DeBoer’s public statements about being happy at their current jobs: “I don’t think those were the same thing,” hinting that while DeBoer is genuinely staying put, Dillingham might still be in play despite expressing love for Arizona State.

For Michigan fans enduring a turbulent week, the podcast’s perspective offers a compelling reason for optimism.

Despite the messy nature of the coaching change, Michigan appears poised to emerge with a dynamic leader who could elevate the program to even greater heights.



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Michigan Gov. Whitmer lays out student literacy plan, says it will be her top priority

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Michigan Gov. Whitmer lays out student literacy plan, says it will be her top priority


Literacy is on the decline in Michigan, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she wants to stop it in its tracks.

The governor shared during this year’s Michigan Literacy Summit that one in three students in Michigan tests below average.

Michigan used to rank higher, but nowit is 44th in the nation when it comes to reading at grade level. Whitmer says it’s due to multiple things, from decades of disinvestment in education to the pandemic.

“Literacy is directly correlated to higher incomes, greater productivity more innovation,” Whitmer said at the summit.

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For the rest of her term as governor, Whitmer says literacy will be her top priority.

“A literate population is more civically engaged, more empowered, more equal,” said Whitmer.

In a room filled with educators from across Michigan, the governor didn’t place blame for the problem, but encouragement and next steps to improve literacy, such as proper resources and training.

“They’re taught by skilled, qualified educators who are getting more and more of every year with scholarships, retention and recruitment programs,” said Whitmer.

Educators say support, such as funding, has helped them be better educators to their students. Teachers say helping them pay for expensive training has allowed them to reach their students in a new way.

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“All of these things accelerated my knowledge and just gave me hope for Michigan’s direction,” said educator David Pelc

However, Whitmer recognized it’s not just the knowledge they are teaching, it’s the ability to connect with the young minds, especially in a world that is ever changing.

“They are growing up against rapidly changing technology, rising mental health challenges, increasing political division, they see violence playing out, and its a uncertain economic environment,” said Whitmer.

From the state Capital, the governor emphasized the bills she has passed that help lead to improving literacy, such as free pre-K and school lunches.

 Whitmer says she plans to offer advice to future budgets and leaders to continue to improve literacy in Michigan.

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