Mark Dantonio Resigns From Michigan State Following Allegations Of NCAA Violations

Michigan State Football coach Mark Dantonio resigned rather surprisingly Tuesday just one day before National Signing Day and two weeks after signing a $4.3 million retention bonus with the school. Dantonio had been in the midst of a lawsuit brought on by former Spartans’ staff member Curtis Blackwell, who is suing for over $5 million in damages for wrongful termination.

Blackwell alleges that Dantonio set up two Michigan State football player’s parents with jobs under one of the school’s top donors Bob Skandalaris. Blackwell also claims that he accompanied Dantonio to a five-star recruit’s in-home meeting while Blackwell was not authorized to conduct an off-campus visit, according to CBS Sports. Dantonio denied the allegations in a January 10 deposition where his lawyers called the allegations “not only false, but totally gratuitous.”

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When asked if the lawsuit was one of the reasons behind his resignation, Dantonio replied, “Zero. No relevance whatsoever.”

He mentioned that he still loved coaching but he was tired of issues that occurred outside of football. “I was 50-50 on what to do and how to do it,” he told CBS Sports. “In the end, if you’re 50-50 on something, you need to be over here. This job demands 100 percent. It just does. I think everybody out there who’s coaching would agree to that.”

On Tuesday afternoon, Dantonio tweeted a picture of himself holding a trophy next to a letter that was addressed to the “Spartans”.

After thanking the program and its affiliates in the letter, Dantonio went to say, “There have been so many amazing life moments in the last 13 years. When I reflect, I think of our Big Ten championship games, our Big Ten Championships, the big games, the playoffs, the bowl wins, the moments, the milestones, the graduates, the NFL opportunities and finally, and perhaps most importantly, the relationships made. This job has always been a 24/7, 365 day-a-year position. There is no down time and it is filled with the demands and challenges of managing games, players, coaches, recruits, donors, staff, media, an enthusiastic fan base and competition at the very highest level. I will miss it all but feel the sacrifices that I have made away from my family must now become my priority at this time in my life. My plan is stay on within the university and athletic department in a role involving special projects, especially transitioning our players, both current and incoming, to their next challenges. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve as the head football coach at Michigan State University. I will forever be a Spartan. Go Green!”

He leaves Michigan State with three Big Ten titles, a College Football Playoff appearance and most wins in Spartans’ history with 114. His finished with 115-57 record with 12 bowl appearances in 13 seasons (2007-2019).