Mark Dantonio is a Wanted Coach and It's a Nice Problem to Have

Coaching rumors.

They can be exciting (Tracking planes on the internet), juicy (Brian Kelly playing the MSU job against the ISU job and losing them both in the process), misleading (Todd Grantham, anyone?), and even creepy (Ummm....tracking planes on the internet).

For years, Michigan State's head coach has been the subject of constant speculation surrounding any big-time coaching vacancy.  In fact, it has practically become a yearly tradition in East Lansing. 

The message boards melt down, the sports radio hosts debate, (Local Sports Anchor) Tim Staudt calls emergency "What-If" staff meetings, and the rumors swirl.   This time, however, things are very different.

You see, in the past, this phenomenon seemed to only hover over the Breslin Center, whereas now, the storm has settled squarely over the newly-renovated Duffy Daugherty Football building.

Michigan State finds itself in uncharted waters. Mark Dantonio is a wanted man. Will he be going anywhere?  Probably not, but the message board whispers are beginning to grow into more than just unconfirmed Rob Parkerness. 

Dantonio has the Spartans sitting at 9-2 (6-1), in the middle of the Big 10 title race, and in prime position for a New Year's Day bowl appearance in just year two of what was supposed to be a rebuilding job at MSU. 

His own demeanor has obviously rubbed off on the program, and the notion of "Same Old Spartans" has, finally, been retired (Although, no doubt, a loss to Penn State will cause Drew Sharp to utter the tired phrase once again).

Regardless, the rest of the country is finally starting to take notice.  Sources say that Tennessee and Clemson have Dantonio on their short lists, Washington too. 

Could Dantonio be swayed?  Like I said earlier, probably not.  Then again, I've been wrong before.

Dantonio has reportedly stated that Michigan State will be his last job.  In his now infamous, "Pride Comes Before the Fall" presser following the 2007 loss to Michigan (Wow, is this guy Nostradamus ?), he was quoted as saying "I'm gonna be the coach here for a long time." 

Many a Spartan fan will no doubt be desperately holding him to his words.  Words aside, there are several other factors that play into his success in East Lansing, and they do not necessarily translate to many other coaching jobs. 

Take for instance, the success that Dantonio and his staff have had in recruiting.  The knock on Michigan State in the past was that recruiting presented too much of a problem for a coaching staff to overcome. 

Saban was reportedly frustrated with the likes of Notre Dame, Michigan, and Ohio State surrounding him, and snatching up the available talent.  With the way the landscape has changed, I don't see that being a solid argument at all anymore. 

For 2009, Michigan State looks to have one of the best incoming classes in the school's history.  All 16 commitments hail from the Midwest, with the vast majority coming from Michigan and Ohio.  That is not a coincidence.

From when he began his coaching career at Youngstown State, to his first stint in East Lansing, then his time in Columbus and then at Cincinnati, Dantonio has established irreplaceable roots with high schools in Ohio and Michigan. 

In prep coaches' eyes, he is perhaps the second most respected college coach in the Midwest, behind only his mentor, Buckeye coach Jim Tressel. 

With Dantonio at the helm, MSU has positioned itself as the primary alternative to Ohio State for kids from Ohio, and, with the (entertaining) arrival of Rich Rodriguez in Ann Arbor, Michigan State seems to have (at least for now) become the first choice for talent from the Great Lakes state. 

I know, I know, Michigan recruits nationally now, they don't need those slow Midwest kids anymore. 

The bottom line is, in college football, talent wins out.  Does Dantonio really want to leave his current situation in East Lansing for a job in the SEC or PAC-10, having to completely start from scratch?

Then, there is Dantonio's embrace of the history and tradition of Michigan State Football.  From the moment this guy took the podium in late November 2006, he has done everything right.  He knows the history of MSU football well, and references his knowledge often. 

He reinstated the "walk" on Saturday mornings, where the team walks through campus, past the "Sparty Statue", to the stadium.  He names honorary captains each week, and welcomes back alumni with open arms. 

He put up championship banners in Spartan Stadium, as well as retired numbers.  He even changed the font on the jerseys to hearken back to the championship teams of the 1960s. 

His style of play is traditional, old-school football, the brand that seems to represent the successful MSU teams of the past. 

Finally, in what may have endeared to him to Spartan fans the most of all, when it comes to that school from Ann Arbor, Mark Dantonio "gets it."

So, this seems like a no-brainer, right?  The guy is loyal, and therefore the Green & White faithful should rest easy.  Not so fast, my friend. 

Mark Dantonio may be loyal, but he is also smart.  Loyal to a fault he is not.  He needs to be taken care of and appreciated, or he will move on. 

Michigan State has a tremendous opportunity that needs to be taken advantage of.  As one commentator put it, "Who wouldn't trade straight-up for Michigan State's football and basketball coaches right row?" 

With Dantonio, Tom Izzo, and Athletic Director Mark Hollis, they have a trifecta in place that could put MSU in contention for championships for years to come.  If they want to keep it that way, they will need to put up the funds to do so. 

Finally, the Spartan faithful need to keep this in mind.  Tom Izzo is coveted annually by other college programs and professional teams...because he wins.  Now, Dantonio is doing the same.  Isn't it a nice problem to have?