Dantonio Named Big Ten Coach of the Year
12/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 29, 2010
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Mark Dantonio, who led Michigan State to a school-record 11 wins and a share of its first Big Ten Championship since 1990, has been named the Dave McClain Coach of the Year, as selected by the conference's media panel. Dantonio helped manage the third-biggest turnaround among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams during the regular season, as the Spartans improved from 6-7 a year ago to 11-1 in 2010. The 54-year-old Dantonio becomes the fifth coach in MSU history to earn Big Ten Coach of the Year honors, joining Denny Stolz (1974), Darryl Rogers (1978), George Perles (1987) and John L. Smith (2003).
Thanks to its 28-22 victory at Penn State Saturday, Michigan State recorded its first win in State College since 1965 - the year before Joe Paterno took over as Penn State's head coach - and finished in a three-way tie with Wisconsin and Ohio State for the 2010 Big Ten Championship. With successive wins over Minnesota, Purdue and Penn State to close out the regular season, the Spartans posted a perfect 3-0 record in November for the first time since 1999. MSU also dealt Wisconsin its only loss of the 2010 regular season, 34-24, in the Big Ten opener.
"This is a staff award," Dantonio said. "It's very humbling to receive this award, especially with all that has happened this season. My coaching staff did an unbelievable job, especially Don Treadwell and Pat Narduzzi. Those guys kept things `business as usual' during my recovery (from the heart attack). We also got positive results on the field because we get leadership from the ground level and that means players coaching players. The leaders on this team did a better job doing that than any team I've ever been around.
"By winning the Big Ten Championship, this truly has been a dream season. We've made memories that will last a lifetime."
Senior linebacker Greg Jones, senior punter Aaron Bates, sophomore running back Edwin Baker and sophomore placekicker Dan Conroy have earned All-Big Ten first-team honors from the media. Jones and Conroy also have been named to the coaches' All-Big Ten first team. A total of 16 Spartans have received All-Big Ten recognition on the first team, second team or honorable mention.
 Greg Jones Jones becomes MSU's seventh three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection.  | |
The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Jones leads Michigan State in tackles (98), forced fumbles (3) and quarterback hurries (6) and ranks second in tackles for loss (8 for 18 yards). He also ranks among the Big Ten leaders in forced fumbles (tied for second) and tackles (sixth at 8.2 per game). He anchors a Spartan defensive unit that ranks third in the Big Ten and No. 20 in the NCAA FBS in rushing defense, allowing 121.9 yards per game. Jones becomes MSU's seventh three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and the first since punter Brandon Fields (2003, 2004 and 2006).
A model of consistency, Jones has led the team in tackles in 30 of the last 38 games and is attempting to become only the second player in MSU history to lead the Spartans in tackles for four-straight seasons (linebacker Dan Bass, 1976-79).
Jones, who posted a season-high 14 stops in a 26-6 Homecoming victory over Illinois, was named National Defensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation as well as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
He recorded eight tackles, including a season-best three for losses, in MSU's 34-24 victory over Wisconsin. The Spartan defense held Wisconsin to 165 rushing yards - nearly 93 yards below its season average. The Badgers entered the game ranked second in the Big Ten and No. 10 in the NCAA FBS in rushing, averaging 257.5 yards per game.
Jones, who recorded two interceptions, four tackles and forced a fumble in MSU's 45-7 victory over Northern Colorado, was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Jones recorded the first two interceptions of his career against the Bears, with both leading to MSU scores.
He tallied 11 tackles and forced a fumble in MSU's 30-17 victory over Florida Atlantic at Ford Field.
The Cincinnati, Ohio, native has started 45 of 52 career games, including 39 consecutive starting assignments. He has 457 career tackles, including 44.5 for losses (158 yards) and 16.5 sacks (93 yards). Jones ranks among the FBS active leaders in total tackles (third), tackles per game (eighth at 9.0) and tackles for loss (tied for seventh). He also ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in tackles for loss (second), total tackles (third) and sacks (sixth).
 Aaron Bates currently ranks second in the Big Ten and No. 11 in the NCAA in punting with his 45.2-yard average. | |
The 6-0, 198-pound Bates currently ranks second in the Big Ten and No. 11 in the NCAA in punting with his 45.2-yard average. He has placed 15 of his 50 punts (30 percent) inside the opponent's 20-yard line and hit 14 punts 50 or more yards. Bates has been named to the coaches' All-Big Ten second team.
He averaged 46.5 yards on four punts in MSU's 28-22 victory at Penn State, including two kicks placed inside the Nittany Lion 20-yard line. Bates dropped a season-best three kicks inside the 20 against Purdue while averaging 43.4 yards on five punts. He averaged 48.5 yards on six punts at Iowa, including one kick downed inside the 20. Bates averaged 45.0 yards on four punts at Michigan, including a career-long 69-yarder, and placed two kicks inside the 20. He recorded season highs in punts (8) and punting yards (363) against Notre Dame, including a 62-yarder, and placed two kicks inside the Irish 20.
The New Concord, Ohio, native is listed among MSU's all-time leaders in punts (second at 253), punting yards (second at 10,603), and punting average (seventh at 41.9). He has placed 83 of his 253 career punts (33 percent) inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Bates ranks third in both punts and punting yards among all active NCAA FBS punters.
The 5-foot-9, 208-pound Baker leads the team in carries (195), rushing yards (1,187) and rushing touchdowns (13). He became just the sixth sophomore in MSU history to reach the 1,000-yard rushing milestone, joining Lorenzo White (1985), Tico Duckett (1990), Marc Renaud (1995), Sedrick Irvin (1996) and T.J. Duckett (2000). Baker ranks third in the Big Ten and No. 23 in the NCAA FBS in rushing, averaging 98.9 yards per game. He has led the Spartans in rushing in eight of 12 games. Fifty-one of his 195 carries (26 percent) have resulted in either a first down or a score, including 10 gains of 20 or more yards. The Highland Park, Mich., native has received All-Big Ten honorable mention from the coaches.
Baker has recorded five 100-yard rushing games in 2010: 117 vs. Western Michigan (17 carries), a career-best 183 vs. Florida Atlantic (15), 147 at Michigan (22), 179 vs. Minnesota (27) and 118 at Penn State (career-high 28). He set a career high with four rushing TDs in MSU's 31-8 victory over Minnesota, including a 30-yard scoring run in the first quarter, a pair of 1-yard TD runs on fourth-and-goal plays in the second quarter and another 1-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. Baker scored on a career-long 80-yard TD run against Florida Atlantic at Detroit's Ford Field.
The 5-10, 185-pound Conroy leads the team in scoring with 86 points, converting 14-of-15 field-goal attempts and 44-of-45 extra-point tries. He ranks among the Big Ten leaders in field-goal percentage (first at .933), kick scoring (fourth at 7.8 points per game), field goals (fifth at 1.3 made per game) and overall scoring (sixth).
Conroy set a school record by hitting his first 13 field-goal attempts of the 2010 season, breaking a mark previously held by Paul Edinger who made his first 10 attempts in 1999.
The Wheaton, Ill., native was selected as National Placekicker of the Week by College Football Performance Awards and one of the Lou Groza Award's Top Three Stars of the Week after accounting for a career-best 14 points against Illinois. He made a career-best four field goals against the Illini, hitting from 37, 34, 32 and 18 yards.
Conroy, who scored 12 points against Florida Atlantic by hitting all three field-goal attempts and all three extra-point tries, was named National Placekicker of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards, one of the Lou Groza Award's Top Three Stars of the Week as well as Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week. He converted field goals from 44, 41 and a career-long 50 yards against the Owls.
Fifth-year senior tight end Charlie Gantt, who ranks fourth on the team with 22 catches for 261 yards (11.9 avg.) and three TDs, has earned All-Big Ten second-team honors from the media. The 6-5, 260-pound Gantt matched his career high with four receptions each at Penn State (38 yards) and Iowa (35). His 3-yard TD grab from Keith Nichol gave MSU a 28-10 lead over the Nittany Lions with 8:31 left in the fourth quarter. He had three catches each at Northwestern (20) and against Wisconsin (41), including a 1-yard TD grab from Kirk Cousins that gave MSU a 27-17 lead late in the third quarter. His 29-yard TD reception from Bates, off a fake field-goal attempt, gave MSU a 34-31 overtime victory over Notre Dame. Gantt, a Farmington Hills, Mich., native received All-Big Ten honorable mention from the coaches.
Fifth-year senior D.J. Young, who started all but one game at left tackle during the regular season, has been named All-Big Ten second team by the coaches. The 6-5, 298-pound Young shared Spartan Offensive Lineman of the Week honors twice in 2010 (vs. Wisconsin and Northwestern). He ranks as a key figure on an offensive line that has helped MSU average 406.7 total yards and 31.3 points per game. The Lansing, Mich., native earned All-Big Ten honorable mention from the media.
Fifth-year senior Eric Gordon, who ranks second on the team in tackles with 88, has been named second-team All-Big Ten by both the media and coaches. In Big Ten games, Gordon ranks 14th (tied) in the conference in tackles, averaging 7.5 per game. He has produced 6.5 tackles for loss (18 yards), including two sacks (6). The 6-0, 232-pound Gordon recorded a season-high 12 stops in the home finale against Purdue. He posted nine tackles each in back-to-back games against Iowa and Minnesota. Gordon made six stops, including one for a 2-yard loss, in MSU's 35-27 come-from-behind win at Northwestern, and his interception with 44 seconds left in the game iced it. He registered a tackle for loss in six-straight games during one late-season stretch. Gordon tallied 11 tackles, including 1.5 for losses (5 yards), against Florida Atlantic.
A native of Traverse City, Mich., Gordon set a school record with his 48th career start in the 2010 regular-season finale at Penn State, breaking the mark previously held by former Spartan tight end Chris Baker (47 career starts, 1998-2001). In addition, he has started more games at linebacker than any other player in MSU history (previous record holder: Dan Bass, 44 career starts from 1976-79). Gordon ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in tackles for loss (tied for 10th with 29) and tackles (tied for 13th with 327).
All four members of MSU's starting secondary have earned second-team All-Big Ten recognition: fifth-year senior strong safety Marcus Hyde (media), red-shirt sophomore cornerback Johnny Adams (coaches), junior free safety Trenton Robinson (coaches) and senior cornerback Chris L. Rucker (coaches).
The 6-0, 200-pound Hyde leads the Spartans in pass break-ups (8) and ranks second in interceptions (3 for 81 yards) and third in tackles (career-high 77). He also is listed among the Big Ten leaders in passes defended (tied for sixth with 10), interceptions (tied for seventh at 0.25 per game) and tackles (17th at 6.4 per game).
Hyde, native of Fostoria, Ohio, recorded seven tackles, two pass break-ups and an interception against Minnesota. He led the team with nine stops at Iowa. Hyde made 10 tackles and intercepted a pass against Illinois. He totaled a career-best 11 tackles, a pass break-up and recovered a fumble in MSU's 34-31 overtime win over Notre Dame. His other interception came in the 2010 season opener against Western Michigan. Hyde received All-Big Ten honorable mention from the coaches.
The 5-11, 170-pound Adams ranks second on the team in interceptions (3 for 38 yards), third in pass break-ups (7) and seventh in tackles (career-high 43). He also ranks among the conference leaders in passes defended (tied for sixth with 10) and interceptions (tied for seventh at 0.25 per game).
A native of Akron, Ohio, Adams contributed six tackles and two pass break-ups in the regular-season finale at Penn State. He recovered a blocked punt that set up MSU's game-winning touchdown against Purdue. Adams recorded a career-high seven tackles, including one for a 2-yard loss, forced a fumble and recovered another at Northwestern. His 31-yard interception return set up a field goal against Illinois. He made six stops and intercepted a pass on the goal line at Michigan. Adams posted four tackles, an interception and a pass break-up against Notre Dame. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention from the media.
The 5-10, 195-pound Robinson leads the Big Ten in interceptions (4 for 19 yards; tied with three other players) and ranks second in passes defended (12). He ranks fourth on the team in tackles with a career-best 69. The Bay City, Mich., native posted a team-best seven stops to go along with an interception at Penn State. Robinson registered a season-high eight tackles and an interception against Illinois. He earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording seven tackles, a pass break-up and an interception in the end zone in MSU's 34-17 victory at Michigan. Robinson made eight stops each against Wisconsin and Western Michigan. His first interception of the season came against Northern Colorado. Robinson received All-Big Ten honorable mention from the media.
The 6-2, 200-pound Rucker ranks third on the team in pass break-ups (7) and fifth in tackles with a career-best 61, including 3.5 for losses (20 yards). The Warren, Ohio, native recorded five tackles, a career-high three pass break-ups and forced a fumble at Penn State. He made seven stops against Purdue and his fourth-quarter interception sparked MSU's comeback, as the Spartans rallied from a 15-point deficit for a 35-31 victory. Rucker produced seven tackles each against Minnesota, Wisconsin and Western Michigan. He also came up with a fourth-quarter interception at Michigan. Rucker posted a career-best 12 tackles, including one for a loss, two pass break-ups and forced a fumble against Notre Dame. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention from the media.
Five other Spartans have received All-Big Ten honorable mention: junior quarterback Kirk Cousins (coaches and media), junior wide receiver B.J. Cunningham (media), senior wide receiver Mark Dell (coaches and media), junior offensive guard Joel Foreman (coaches and media) and sophomore defensive tackle Jerel Worthy (coaches and media).
Cousins also has been selected as MSU's recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, which is presented to the student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
The 11-1 Spartans, ranked No. 7 in the latest Associated Press, USA TODAY and Harris Polls, are bowl eligible for the fourth consecutive year, a first for the program since 1987-90.
