Channel Your Anger: Mark Dantonio Press Conference

Submitted by Michael Scarn on

I think it's healthy to step back and get some perspective on a day like today.  At least this prick is not Michigan's head coach:

For anyone who missed it, Sparty trailed Eastern late in the 3rd quarter.  They looked abysmal.  Dantonio should be pissed but it takes a real knob to do something like this.  The B1G is wide open, and Michigan's for the taking.

Go. Blue.

Lionsfan

September 23rd, 2012 at 10:46 AM ^

Is this really being a prick? He knows his team sucked, and quite frankly some of those questions were stupid. All coaches have had these press conferences

I mean come on, "Coach does your offense need to play better to be effective against Ohio State?" "Are these drops affecting Andrew's (Maxwell) performance?" "Can you talk about how big Sims and Bell were today?"

There was like 2 legitimate questions asked

turtleboy

September 23rd, 2012 at 2:07 PM ^

After the ND curbstomping he didn't even mention ND. If you hadn't watched the game you wouldn't know who they even played. He was definitely a major prick in that post game. Here he starts off crediting Eastern, says his team played poorly, acknowleges they lead at halftime, and repeatedly credits his opponent and criticises his own team, not just their skill, but their attitude, and effort. The reporters asked really stupid questions and he actually answered a few of the legitimate ones, but I almost want to hear him answer a few of Derp Sharps 8-9-10 redundant jack-ass questions. Somebody needs to be a royal dick to that royal dick and Dantonio seems to fit the bill pretty well. 

That said, I take it for granted that he's an extremely arrogant prick. It's very, very surprising when he isn't.

Magnus

September 24th, 2012 at 8:20 AM ^

Yes, he is being a prick.  Part of being the face of a program is answering questions like this.  The reporters gave him a chance to talk positively about a couple guys (Sims, Bell), and he chose to say "They were big. Next question."

If you don't want to interact with the media, don't become a head coach.

Oh, and there's a difference between Carr's "Why would you ask such a stupid question?" and postgame press conference stupidity like this.  Coaches shouldn't be asked questions at halftime, in the middle of a contest.  They have other things on their minds.  Carr never acted like this in postgame press conferences.

EECS Grad '15

September 23rd, 2012 at 10:41 AM ^

I'd be pretty pissed too if my team came out and looked like that against EMU. Neg me if you will, but I see a coach who doesn't have time to talk to the media because he wants to get out there and make his team better.

TrppWlbrnID

September 23rd, 2012 at 10:41 AM ^

But questions from the press, no offense Heiko, can be the most mindless prattle. "Can you talk about how big sims and bell were tonight?" does a reporter really need a quote from the coach for his article about how wxcept for bell and sims the spartans struggled? Not sayin' I agree with him, but I understand.

akim

September 23rd, 2012 at 10:43 AM ^

I don't think he was being a prick

And really this is more entertaining than anything else.  they're asking stupid questions, and he's going through them with incredible efficiency!

Fhshockey112002

September 23rd, 2012 at 10:44 AM ^

As much as this might not be the reason Dantonio is a prick (of which there are many), this is really unprofessional.  You are paid very well and a part of that job is holding a short press conference after the game.  The press (however bad the questions were) are just there doing thier job, no need to an ass hat towards them.  The press didn't drop passes, or block bad, or cause your team to play poorly.  Stand there and represent your school like a role model and leader.

Ponypie

September 23rd, 2012 at 10:52 AM ^

many of us used to somewhat enjoy Lloyd Carr's grumpiness and general irascibility toward the press, who are often ignorant, self-important Captains of the Obvious. So, whatever we think about MD, I can't fault him for treating some of the same reporters with the same disdain.

BeileinBuddy

September 23rd, 2012 at 10:52 AM ^

I saw Rittenberg on Twitter going off on Dantonio, calling the presser completely unprofessional and how Dantonio has an obligation to the media and acted as if Dantonio took the media room's puppy and punted it out the window.

MichiganManOf1961

September 23rd, 2012 at 11:04 AM ^

Perhaps the "press" would get more respect from coaches if they didn't ask the same mindless drivel after every game.  "Coach, did the turnovers hurt the team?"  What the hell type of garbage are these questions?  Along with my eyes, that is the reason I don't read the sports section of the newspaper, every article rattles off the same statistics and repetetive noise as the article from the past week.  If said team won, a bunch of patting-of-the-back.  And if the team lost, the author, in his infinite wisdom, will find one simplistic reason, which, if corrected, will solve the teams problems and lead them to glory. 

If there is one profession I have quickly lost patience with and respect for, it is the American media (sports, political, and otherwise).  I turn on Fox, and what are they talking about?  Some English princess' breasts.  CNN, some lardass who (falsely) admitted to killing her nephew by rolling on him while sleeping.  MSNBC: I don't watch MSNBC, but they were probably praising Dear Leader.  The stupidity of network television and daytime talkshows is slowly working its way into anything and everything.  I fear for this country.  But 75% of the population will be too busy drinking their 90oz. sodas, fried chocolate chip cookies, and watching Rosie O'Donnell to even notice what is going on.

~Herm

spartanfan123

September 23rd, 2012 at 10:56 AM ^

Bo used to have press conferences like this. Also, Rittenberg, quit acting like a baby. he doesn't owe you anything, especially with the stupid questions asked. The one legitimate question that was asked he answered which was "Why did Gholston sit today?"

Princetonwolverine

September 23rd, 2012 at 11:14 AM ^

Let's hope he acts this way with recruits' mothers.

Mom: "Coach, will my son get a good education at MSU?"

Coach: "That isn't my concern. Next question."

NFG

September 23rd, 2012 at 11:17 AM ^

I think that is hilarious. I think He handled himself just fine knowing that he was infuriated inside because if his teams performance. Then to add junior college journalism type questions just pushed him over the top.

Perkis-Size Me

September 23rd, 2012 at 11:21 AM ^

Can't say I blame him. His team had a shitty performance against a shitty team. Of course he's pissed off. At least he didn't act like a three year old like Lane Kiffin and walk out of the conference.

cbuswolverine

September 23rd, 2012 at 11:22 AM ^

To all of you saying these were stupid questions:  What are the smart questions that should be asked in a postgame presser?  I mean, beyond Danonio's reaction, how is this presser different than any other?  Postgame pressers all consist of inane questions.  

BlueMan80

September 23rd, 2012 at 11:21 AM ^

He had the complete "F*** this shit" attitude and demeanor.  I can understand why.  He's standing up there thinking of everything that needs to get fixed before they play Ohio and deciding he'd rather do that than answer these less than inciteful questions.

As mentioned above, Bo would do this too at times.

UMgradMSUdad

September 23rd, 2012 at 11:26 AM ^

Whenever I see these after game press conferences, it reminds me of how thankful I am that Michigan is the name brand and doesn't have some sponsor's name plastered all over its backdrop. If I recall correctly, the decision to not sell Michigan's soul to corporate sponsers goes all the way back to Don Canham, and all the subsequent ADs have been wise enough to follow his lead.  

Jeff09

September 23rd, 2012 at 11:32 AM ^

I thought that was completely fine, and actually pretty funny.  It's definitely not a Hoke style move but I have no problem with a coach slapping down the press every once in a while.  If you're seriously taking offense to this you're probably just seeing things through maize-colored glasses...