What Is 1999 Michigan State Spartans football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1999 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University during the 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 6–6 record under head coach Nick Saban. They played in the Big Ten Conference and were invited to the Aloha Bowl, where they lost to Fresno State 30–17.

Key Facts

The 1999 Michigan State Spartans finished the season with a 6–6 overall record
Head coach Nick Saban led the team for the third consecutive season
The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing
They earned a spot in the 1999 Aloha Bowl, their second consecutive bowl appearance
Quarterback Todd Schultz started 10 games and threw for 1,745 yards and 10 touchdowns

Overview

The 1999 Michigan State Spartans football team competed in the NCAA Division I-A football season as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Under the leadership of head coach Nick Saban, the team finished with a balanced 6–6 record, marking a slight improvement from their 6–6 mark in 1998.

The Spartans showed resilience throughout the season, securing bowl eligibility with a win in their final regular-season game. Despite missing a winning record, their performance earned them a bid to the Aloha Bowl, highlighting continued progress in the program’s rebuilding phase.

Schedule strength: The Spartans faced a challenging Big Ten slate, including games against ranked opponents like Michigan and Penn State, both of which finished the season in the AP Top 25.
Head coach:Nick Saban was in his third season at Michigan State, having taken over in 1995, and compiled a 15–18 record with the Spartans before leaving after the 1999 season.
Home stadium: All home games were played at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan, which had a capacity of approximately 75,005 during the 1999 season.
Bowl game: The team participated in the 1999 Aloha Bowl on December 25, 1999, losing 30–17 to Fresno State, ending their season on a disappointing note.
Team captain: Linebacker Julius McCoy served as a team leader and recorded 87 tackles, ranking second on the squad and earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors.

Season Performance

The 1999 season reflected a transitional phase for Michigan State, balancing youth and experience while competing in one of college football’s toughest conferences. The team showed flashes of potential but struggled with consistency, especially on defense.

Offensive production: The Spartans averaged 20.8 points per game, totaling 250 points over 12 games, with quarterback Todd Schultz leading the passing attack.
Defensive struggles: They allowed 23.6 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the Big Ten in scoring defense, partly due to inexperience in the secondary.
Key win: A 27–24 victory over Indiana on November 13 secured their sixth win and bowl eligibility, coming in dramatic fashion with a late field goal.
Rivalry game: In the annual matchup against the Michigan Wolverines, the Spartans lost 34–18, continuing a losing streak against their in-state rivals.
Turnover issues: The team committed 23 turnovers during the season, including 14 interceptions thrown by the quarterbacks, which hampered several close games.
Special teams: Kicker Ben Dressler made 13 of 18 field goals, with a long of 47 yards, providing reliable scoring in tight contests.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1999 Spartans with the previous two seasons to illustrate trends in performance and development:

Season	Overall Record	Big Ten Record	Bowl Game	Head Coach
1997	3–8	1–7	None	Nick Saban
1998	6–6	3–5	Outback Bowl (lost to Kentucky)	Nick Saban
1999	6–6	3–5	Aloha Bowl (lost to Fresno State 30–17)	Nick Saban
2000	3–8	1–7	None	Bobby Williams
2001	7–5	4–4	Oranges Bowl (won vs. Louisville)	Bobby Williams / Morris Watts

This table highlights that the 1999 season maintained the modest gains made in 1998, though the program regressed in 2000 after Saban's departure. The Spartans were building toward a breakthrough, culminating in a successful 2001 season under new leadership.

Why It Matters

The 1999 season is a notable chapter in Michigan State football history, representing both the challenges and incremental progress under Nick Saban before his departure to the NFL. It laid groundwork for future success despite not achieving a winning record.

Coaching legacy: This was Nick Saban’s final season at Michigan State before joining the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, marking the end of an era.
Player development: Several players from the 1999 roster, such as Julius McCoy and Courtney Hawkins, went on to have productive college careers and some entered the NFL Draft.
Bowl participation: The Aloha Bowl appearance marked the second consecutive bowl game for MSU, a sign of improving program stability.
Recruiting impact: Saban’s efforts helped attract talent that contributed to the 2001 Orange Bowl victory under subsequent coaches.
Conference competitiveness: The Spartans remained competitive in the Big Ten, showing they could challenge top teams despite limited resources.
Historical context: The 1999 season is remembered as a bridge year between rebuilding and resurgence, setting the stage for future achievements.

While not a standout season in terms of wins, the 1999 Michigan State Spartans played a pivotal role in the program’s long-term trajectory, helping restore relevance to a once-proud football tradition.