The six years following the great back-to-back championship years of 1965 and '66 were mediocre and resulted in a total of twenty-seven wins. The 1972 game against a terrible Iowa team that turned the ball over five times was ruined by eight Spartan fumbles and resulted in a 6-6 tie, marking a low point in Duffy Daugherty's reign. The announcement of his resignation leaked out a week later with four games still to play and after nineteen years, a new coach was needed. Spartan defensive coordinator Denny Stolz who had grown up in Lansing, was handed the lead and took the team to a 5-6 record. Stolz altered the helmet, and the Spartans took the field in their Kelly green helmets with one-inch white center stripe, and an oversized white Spartan head with a black border that was drawn by team member, end Mike Hurd. Two-and-a-half-inch white "Charger" style numerals were placed at the rear of the shell.  After starter Charley Baggett was injured at QB, the smallest man on the team took over for the final three games, Tyrone Willingham who of course later became the head coach at Stanford, Notre Dame, and Washington. The defense was led by All American DB Bill Simpson who went on to a fine pro career with the Rams and Bills.

If interested in any of these MSU helmets please click on the photos below.