Mark Dantonio: I Will Fix Michigan State Football
When the clock hit zero at State College and the Penn State football team celebrated their win of the Big Ten East Division, Mark Dantonio needed some time to gather his thoughts on what was the worst season of his head coaching experience.
From those drives and time spent on offseason responsibilities rather than a bowl game, Dantonio came up with a 15 point list for why the season went the way it did.
He didn't list all 15 points during the press conference but he did go through them in a flow of consciousness that seemed to go back to a main point, that he and his coaching staff need to be better for the program to succeed.
Turnover margin, lack of sacks, missed opportunities (as Dantonio put it "not winning the 4th quarter"), those are all things that could be improved via coaching. However some of the things on the list like injuries, young players in the lineup, and leaders and seniors not being productive are not fully on the shoulders of the head coach. But Dantonio being the man that he is stood up for his program, and vowed to better it.
Some other news and notes to come out of Dantonio's season ending press conference Thursday is that Brian Lewerke has been anointed the "QB to beat" in the spring.
“He's [Lewerke] done enough to warrant him to be the guy to beat out” Dantonio said.
Lewerke suffered a fractured tibia this season, Dantonio updated the media on him saying he's out of a walking boot and should be ready for Spring.
As for if this season was an "embarrassment"?
Finally, with just recruiting to look forward to, Dantonio mentioned in the limited scope he's allowed by the NCAA about his team's plans.
Michigan State currently has the 27th ranked recruiting class according to 247Sports, led by four star recruits WR Hunter Rison (Ann Arbor Skyline), TE Matt Dotson (Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller) and G Kevin Jarvis (Park Ridge, IL Maine South).
For all things Spartans and to hear live broadcasts, coaches shows and more, keep it tuned on your home for Spartan sports, Classic Rock 94.9 WMMQ and Lansing's Big Talker 1240 WJIM.