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).

University of Nebraska Cornhuskers senior punter Sam Foltz and ex-Michigan State punter Mike Sadler (pictured) were killed in a single-car accident on Saturday.

Foltz and Sadler were driving back from a football camp in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Foltz, 22, was in the passenger seat and Sadler, 24, was the driver, both were pronounced dead when police arrived, according to USA Today Sports. LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye, 21, was riding in the backseat of the car and was taken to Waukesha Hospital. According to ESPN he needed stitches and was being treated for burns on his legs. Delahoussaye has since been released from the hospital and is now home.

Waukesha County Officers determined that the car was traveling westbound on Beaver Lake Road and lost control on wet pavement sending the car off the road and into a tree. Officers are saying that speed does appear to be a factor in the crash and toxicology tests will be done to determine if alcohol was a factor.

Foltz and Sadler were students coaches at the Kohl’s National Invitational Scholarship Camp for high school kickers and punters at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin.

Foltz was a three-year starter for the Cornhuskers and was named the Big Ten’s punter of the year. He led the Big Ten in punting with 44.2 yards per kick and ranked fifth in school history with 42.6 yards per kick. He won Nebraska’s 2016 HERO Leadership Award.

Sadler was a four-year starter at MSU from 2011 – 2014 and was ranked second in school history for punts, punting yards and punting average. He was the Spartan’s first four-time Academic All-American in school history. He was set to go to Stanford Law School this coming fall.

Nebraska head football coach Mike Riley tweeted to the Cornhusker community about Foltz’ impact on Nebraska football.

“Sam was universally loved and respected by everyone he touched and on whom he had a positive influence each and every day. His tragic loss is immeasurable to his family, his friends, his classmates, his teammates and his coaches and our thoughts and prayers with all of them. The young men in our football program are hurting but I know that their strength of character and resolve will bring us together and we honor Sam every day moving forward,” Riley said.

Riley only coached Foltz for one season, he was previously the head coach at Oregon State.

Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio tweeted condolences for Sadler and his family.

Nebraska players held a vigil for Foltz outside Memorial Stadium Sunday afternoon and the event culminated with a group cheer for Foltz.

Nebraska will not participate in the Big Ten media days this week in Chicago.