Report: MSU hires Curtis Blackwell

UPDATE: It's official. His title will be director of college advancement and performance camp/director. Here's the press release with quotes.

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It's not official, but it has been coming for a while. Rico Beard of SpartanMag is reporting that Curtis Blackwell has been/will be hired by MSU.

Michigan State hires Curtis Blackwell (Sound Mind Sound Body) to the football staff. Official announcement coming in a few days. #Spartans

— Rico Beard (@RicoBeard) August 1, 2013

While his official title could differ (like "director of player personnel), he's going to be the recruiting coordinator, basically. Quarterbacks coach Brad Salem has been leading the recruiting efforts since arriving, but most top programs have an off-field person running it. Alabama has an entire staff solely devoted to recruiting. MSU is increasing its football funding, and this is one result of that.

Blackwell has been running the Sound Mind Sound Body camp in the Detroit area, so his connection to people in the area is huge. That was the biggest loss when Dan Enos left for Central Michigan. Enos has great ties with the Detroit area.

Here's an example, from the wide receiver coach at Detroit MLK.

Finally got a King player to MSU!! To bad he graduated in 96 lol! No I'm very happy for my friend Curtis Blackwell he will be GREAT in EL!!

— Coach Terel Patrick (@tpzy) August 1, 2013

Another example: Damon Webb Sr., father of a 2014 Cass Tech DB committed to OSU (and friend of Blackwell)

MSU hiring Curt Blackwell is like getting the number #1 player/recruit in the Nation. Somethings about to change here in the state Mi wow!

— damon webb (@webbdamon) August 1, 2013

Webb then talked some trash to U-M fans about MSU winning 4 of 5 and said MSU was No. 2 to OSU for his son. It was weird. (And I wouldn't expect Webb to flip, if you were wondering. He said his son would have picked MSU if Blackwell was there last year, but it's easy to say that now.).

From MGoBlog's recruiting writer:

Very interesting hire by MSU. Running Sound Mind Sound Body means Blackwell has a lot of connections with in-state recruits.

— Ace Anbender (@AceAnbender) August 1, 2013

And, just as importantly, their high school coaches.

— Ace Anbender (@AceAnbender) August 1, 2013

People tweeting that Blackwell's hiring won't matter should look up the MaxEx 7-on-7 teams he ran. Lots of talent on those teams.

— Ace Anbender (@AceAnbender) August 1, 2013

What does it mean? Well, it should help with recruiting, obviously. I've said before that Dantonio and staff have raised the talent floor, and they bring in good classes and find diamonds in the rough. They still need to raise the talent ceiling, and the hope is that Blackwell will do that.

To compete with the big boys, you have to spend like the big boys, and administrative support has perhaps never been stronger.