Chris Solari | Detroit Free Press

Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press

EAST LANSING — Michigan State football's offensive staff is undergoing a major restructuring for 2019.

But no coaches are leaving the Spartans.

Mark Dantonio said Thursday that Brad Salem will take over as Michigan State’s offensive coordinator. Dave Warner and Jim Bollman, who previously shared the role, were reassigned to position coaches.

"This is probably the most significant change we have had in my 12 years here," Dantonio said. "But it is warranted."

Salem, a ninth-season assistant coach who was head coach at Division II Augustana College in South Dakota, also is back to coaching running backs, which he did from 2010-12 before taking over as quarterbacks coach in 2013. He replaced Dan Enos on Dantonio’s staff in 2010 and was a graduate assistant at MSU under George Perles and Nick Saban from 1994-96.

Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports

Salem went 31-26 in five seasons from 2005-09 at his alma mater Augustana, in his hometown of Sioux Falls, where he was quarterback from 1990-92 and also once served as offensive coordinator. He ran more of a “one-back multiple” spread-style offense with the Vikings that predominantly ran out of the shotgun set.

Warner will vacate his co-offensive coordinator and running backs positions to return to coaching the Spartans’ quarterbacks. He held that role from 2007-12 and tutored Kirk Cousins for five seasons and Connor Cook during his early years.

Bollman shifts to offensive line coach from co-offensive coordinator, a role he had at MSU under Nick Saban from 1995-97. Mark Staten will take over tight ends and special teams, moving from the offensive line. He previously coached MSU’s tight ends after arriving with Dantonio in 2007.

"I'm a foxhole guy," Dantonio said. "I don't apologize for that in any respect. I believe in surrounding myself with loyal people. I believe in digging in when things get tough."

Don Treadwell, the former MSU offensive coordinator from 2007-10, will coach wide receivers. Terrence Samuel will take over Treadwell’s role as assistant defensive backs coach and freshman head coach after spending the past eight seasons coaching wideouts.

Lansing State Journal file photo

The Spartans finished 125th out of 129 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring offense (18.7 points per game) and 116th in total offense (342.1 yards) in 2018. They also ranked 114th in rushing offense (124.8 yards), 115th in third-down conversions (33.5 percent) and 126th in passing efficiency (101.37).

Injuries played a major factor in the downturn, particularly when quarterback Brian Lewerke suffered a right-shoulder injury during an upset win at Penn State. The junior had completed 60 percent of his passes (135 of 225) for 1,587 yards passing with eight TDs up to that point, then went just 49 of 114 for 452 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions after suffering the injury.

Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press

MSU also lost top running back LJ Scott for the majority of the season, and then lost top receiver Felton Davis III for the rest of the year during the Michigan game. At one point, seven of the Spartans’ top eight receivers were battling injuries. They also used nine different offensive line combinations in going 7-6 this season, with just one player — right tackle Jordan Reid — starting every game at the same position.

The Spartans will return all but Scott, Davis, tight end Matt Sokol and offensive lineman David Beedle on offense in 2019.

MSU's staff changes

The Spartans shuffled their coaching staff Thursday, especially on offense, but didn’t hire or fire anyone. The changes:

• Brad Salem: Goes from QB coach to offensive coordinator.

• Dave Warner: Goes from co-offensive coordinator and RB coach to QB coach.

• Jim Bollman: Goes from co-offensive coordinator to O-line coach.

• Mark Staten: Goes from O-line coach to TE & special teams coach.

• Don Treadwell: Goes from assistant DB coach to WR coach.

• Terrence Samuel: Goes from WR coach to assistant DB coach.