Michigan State hires Jake Chaney as assistant defensive line coach
Chaney was a standout linebacker for Wisconsin during his playing days. More here.
Michigan State has hired Jake Chaney as assistant defensive line coach, sources confirm to Spartans Illustrated.
Corey Robinson of SpartanTailgate was first to report the news.
Chaney joins the MSU staff following the departure of Antjuan Simmons, who previously served in the role as assistant defensive line coach. Simmons recently left the Spartans to take a job as linebackers coach with Saginaw Valley State.
At Michigan State, Chaney will work under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III and the rest of the new staff in East Lansing.
As a player, Chaney was a standout linebacker for Wisconsin from 2021 through 2024. He played in 45 career games, with 21 starts, for the Badgers. Chaney recorded 174 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, one interception, one pass defended and one forced fumble during his time in Madison.
Following his playing career, Chaney reported to Wisconsin for fall camp once again, but this time to help coach the Badgers as a defensive assistant in 2025. While Chaney was pursuing a career in professional football, he aspired to get into coaching once his playing days were done. According to Sports Illustrated, Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell made it clear that Chaney had that opportunity to coach at Wisconsin if he wanted it.
Now, Chaney will take the next step forward in his coaching career with the Spartans in 2026. He will have an opportunity to work with and learn from Rossi, DeLattiboudere and rush ends coach Andrew Bindelglass, among other staff members.
While at Wisconsin, Chaney played under new Michigan State running backs coach Devon Spalding in 2023 and 2024, and coached with him in 2025.
Of note, Chaney's father, James Chaney, is a college football veteran coach, who currently serves as director of player development for Colorado.
