If Tom Izzo Leaves Michigan State, Mark Dantonio Could Become Focus

The Tom Izzo media-frenzy touches all aspects of Michigan State athletics.

Even football.

If Izzo does vacate his position—his decision has been reported to be delivered Saturday—football coach Mark Dantonio could be the premier face of Spartan sports.

Dantonio, who will enter his fourth year of coaching in East Lansing this fall, has worked day-and-night to restore the program to its previous glory.

With the recent to-do about the basketball coach, it's easy to push the progress of the football team aside.

Despite behavior problems with his players in the past, Dantonio, by all accounts, has Spartan football going in the right direction.

He beats Michigan, he guides the team to bowl games and he lands top-tier recruits. Dantonio's incoming class has been ranked in the top-30 in the nation by rivals.com.

Even with a severely depleted roster, the Spartans managed to compete with a high-flying, and heavily-favored Texas Tech team in the 2010 Alamo Bowl.

Amidst the suspensions, and use of players at alternate positions, the Spartans kept the game close, but fell 41-31 to the Red Raiders.

Could Dantonio handle the pressure of being the figurehead at Michigan State?

The school is famed for its actions on the hardwood, but with the possibility of a new coach in town, the attention could likely shift Dantonio's way.

If the scenario plays out, a number of former or current assistants could assume the role of power at MSU. But the question has to be asked—would fans give Coach D a shot to be the one ?

He's known as a man-of-faith, which was evident by the way he handled his personnel issues last season. He has been both praised and criticized for his compassion, but he weathered the storm of controversy.

And there's something to be said about that—he earned his stripes.

But he's also known as a leader, that's why he was chosen to take charege of the football team.

If there will be a person to shoulder the burden of a disheartened athletic program, should its most well known representative depart, it could be Dantonio.