Dan Roushar, Michigan State's offensive coordinator for the past two seasons, was named New Orleans Saints' running back coach on Saturday, leaving the Spartans looking for a new coach to direct the team's offense.

Michigan State's total offense in 2012 ranked ninth in the Big Ten after the Spartans won 11 games the previous season with record-setting quarterback Kirk Cousins as a senior.

Asked about fans who criticized Roushar,

said he "is tucked right here under my wing."

"He’s a great teacher and a tireless recruiter," Dantonio said in a statement Saturday. "Dan certainly played a critical role in helping build a solid foundation here at Michigan State. We’re grateful for the effort and energy he’s invested in our program.

“He’s excited about being presented with the opportunity to coach the game at its highest level. We’re thrilled for Dan and his family, and we wish him nothing but the best in the NFL.”

Roushar was among the coaches on Tuesday at the Michigan State basketball game meeting with recruits, but later that week reportedly interviewed with the Saints. He had previously served as a running backs coach for Illinois.

"The New Orleans Saints and Michigan State are built on similar models, with a focus on character and people. New Orleans has won a Super Bowl, and over the last five years, the Saints have been one of the winningest organizations in the NFL," Roushar said in a statement. "I've had an opportunity to work for Mark Dantonio -- in my opinion, the best college football coach in America -- for the last eight years, including the last six seasons at Michigan State. Now, I have an opportunity to work for arguably the best coach in the NFL, in Sean Payton. Professionally, this is an opportunity I simply couldn't pass up. Now as a running backs coach, I have the chance to learn the interworking of the NFL.

"Michigan State is poised to have a tremendous year in 2013. I've been incredibly blessed to have worked alongside Coach Dantonio, a talented coaching staff and gifted players. The last six years at Michigan State have been quite rewarding: six-straight bowl appearances, back-to-back 11-wins seasons including a Big Ten Championship and a Legends Division title, and four-straight victories over Michigan. It's difficult to leave because it has been quite a ride, but professional opportunities like this are indeed rare. Coach Dantonio has built something special – it's a program that pursues excellence in all aspects, not only on the field competing for championships, but also off the field in the classroom and in the community."