Michigan State University Athletics
Coach Dantonio Featured on ESPN.com
8/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 26, 2008
By Adam Rittenberg, ESPN.com
Mark Dantonio made his first season at Michigan State about respect. Now he's looking for results.
After the Spartans reached a bowl game for the first time in four seasons, the bar has been raised both inside and outside the program. Michigan State is the consensus pick to be the Big Ten's surprise team this fall. The team returns running back Javon Ringer, quarterback Brian Hoyer and linebacker Greg Jones, but Dantonio is the biggest reason for optimism. He has elevated the demands for performance and embraced the culture in East Lansing, playing up the Michigan rivalry and the need to compete with other elite teams. The Spartans' 2009 recruiting class in shaping up to be one of the Big Ten's best, and the momentum should continue with the Skandalaris Football Center, the program's new $15.5 million facility, which opened this week.
The arrow is pointing up, but Dantonio recognizes Michigan State's recent struggles to sustain success and the challenges that await his team this fall. Dantonio took some time to discuss the team's outlook, the new facility and the importance of the Michigan game.
