Michigan State is Getting What They Deserve in Pathetic Coaching Search
By Michael Luciano
The post-Mark Dantonio era at Michigan State is becoming almost as much of a painful slog as the end of the Dantonio era was.
After coaching this team to a 114-57 record since taking the job in 2007, Dantonio screwed Michigan State and resigned a week ago to spend more time with his family. The abruptness of it all has left the Spartans looking in vain for their next coach, after Cincinnati's Luke Fickell turned down the job.
Sources: Luke Fickell has decided to stay at Cincinnati. After interviewing for Michigan State on Sunday and talking it over with his family, he elected to stay put.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 10, 2020
You're telling me taking over a struggling program with off-the-field issues coming out of every corner of the operation isn't a desirable head coaching job to take? Shocking, I tell you.
Dantonio might have ended up with a few Top 10 rankings thanks to Kirk Cousins and Connor Cook at quarterback, but the last few years have been a struggle. The Spartans have won eight or more games just once, and they have subjected us to some of the most schematically, statistically, and aesthetically unwatchable offenses in Power 5 football.
That's what you get for sticking with Dantonio past his expiration date.
Mark Dantonio resigns 20 days after he became entitled to a $4.3 million retention bonus, an hour after it is reported that Curtis Blackwell is alleging Dantonio committed NCAA violations, and one day before National Signing Day.
— Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) February 4, 2020
Nothing to unpack there.
Dantonio is a Michigan State legend, but there is no denying that 2016 onwards was painful at times, even for the most optimistic Spartan fan. Dantonio has left the program in shambles and without a clear path towards their next head coach, which could haunt them for years to come.
It's what this controversy-ridden program has earned.