EAST LANSING -- Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi turned down an offer to become Connecticut's head coach Wednesday after having met with Huskies athletic director Warde Manuel, FootballScoop.com and Spartan Nation reported.

Narduzzi the previous day had been named the winner of the Frank Broyles Award, which honors the nation's top college football assistant coach, and his defense at Michigan State is ranked No. 1 in the nation after carrying the Spartans to the Rose Bowl.

The Spartans play Stanford on Jan. 1.

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio said Sunday that UConn had contacted the Spartans about Narduzzi, who currently makes $512,500 annually, before there were indications that he could stay.

Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis, who did not immediately reply to a request for comment, told Sirius XM on Monday that he was in "very good position" to try to retain Narduzzi and the football staff's continuity.

Board of Trustees member Brian Mosallam, a former Michigan State football player, weighed in on the topic as well.

"I will only speak for myself but (Hollis) has my full support to do what he needs to," Mosallam tweeted.