Rosenberg on Dantonio

On Nov. 2, 2006, Michigan State fired football coach John L. Smith. There were three games left in the season, but administrators didn't want to wait. They hoped to begin searching for a new coach immediately.

There was one problem. One of the top names on their list, Cincinnati coach Mark Dantonio, wouldn't talk to Michigan State. Dantonio's team had three regular-season games remaining. He refused to talk to one school while coaching another. Within the Michigan State athletic department, that story is about a single, simple act of integrity. Coach D, they say, has his priorities in order.

He does. But the story is instructive in another way. Unlike so many coaches, who ask their agents to fish for new jobs as soon as they win a big game, Dantonio was patient. He was willing to bet that if Michigan State wanted him in early November it would also want him at the end of the month.

Michigan State may or may not beat Ohio State on Saturday, but you can safely say this: It is not a statement game. Michigan State doesn't need to make statements. Not anymore.

Code_Warrior wrote:Fantastic article!  I wish there was more of that locally.

DWags wrote:Jesus. Required reading

Wow

Thanks.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:

DWags wrote:Jesus. Required reading

Wow

Thanks.

agree.

Other Teams Pursuing That wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:agree.

LooseGoose wrote:WITH STEADY HAND AND CORE VALUES, MARK DANTONIO HAS BROUGHT STABILITY, CONSISTENCY TO MICHIGAN STATE

On Nov. 2, 2006, Michigan State fired football coach John L. Smith. There were three games left in the season, but administrators didn't want to wait. They hoped to begin searching for a new coach immediately.

There was one problem. One of the top names on their list, Cincinnati coach Mark Dantonio, wouldn't talk to Michigan State. Dantonio's team had three regular-season games remaining. He refused to talk to one school while coaching another. Within the Michigan State athletic department, that story is about a single, simple act of integrity. Coach D, they say, has his priorities in order.

He does. But the story is instructive in another way. Unlike so many coaches, who ask their agents to fish for new jobs as soon as they win a big game, Dantonio was patient. He was willing to bet that if Michigan State wanted him in early November it would also want him at the end of the month.

Freshmen become Heisman Trophy contenders ....in September.

LooseGoose wrote:WITH STEADY HAND AND CORE VALUES, MARK DANTONIO HAS BROUGHT STABILITY, CONSISTENCY TO MICHIGAN STATE

On Nov. 2, 2006, Michigan State fired football coach John L. Smith. There were three games left in the season, but administrators didn't want to wait. They hoped to begin searching for a new coach immediately.

There was one problem. One of the top names on their list, Cincinnati coach Mark Dantonio, wouldn't talk to Michigan State. Dantonio's team had three regular-season games remaining. He refused to talk to one school while coaching another. Within the Michigan State athletic department, that story is about a single, simple act of integrity. Coach D, they say, has his priorities in order.

He does. But the story is instructive in another way. Unlike so many coaches, who ask their agents to fish for new jobs as soon as they win a big game, Dantonio was patient. He was willing to bet that if Michigan State wanted him in early November it would also want him at the end of the month.

But people who know him well say he never seems to waver.

He has four simple guidelines for his program:

1. Build lifelong relationships with players.
2. Push them to graduate.
3. Win championships.
4. Be givers, not takers: To the community, to each other.

It sounds simple, right? And it is. There is no genius there. But sticking with these four principles through chaotic times is hard.

Barnett says, "I'll put it out there: I think something is going to be named after him when he finally shuts it down. Mark Dantonio's name will be there forever."

It may be a building, or maybe something more personal. One can picture a statue of Dantonio and Izzo sitting together, smiling, looking like they never want to leave.

gHost Spartan wrote:Is this man ever going to be mentioned as one of the greatest football coaches in the state of Michigan? All you hear about is Bo this, Bo that, Coach D's gotta be up there. Great column

gHost Spartan wrote:Is this man ever going to be mentioned as one of the greatest football coaches in the state of Michigan? All you hear about is Bo this, Bo that, Coach D's gotta be up there. Great column