Dantonio to Tenn?

Submitted by TheTruth on

MD to Tennessee rumors starting to heat up. stay tuned.

umfan

November 17th, 2008 at 9:14 PM ^

I agree with you that he takes the job as long as they offer money. But i would disagree with your backyard comment. I think they are in our backyard. We are the bigger, better, stronger team. And we were here first.

And as a second thought, let's beat those buckeye dirt bags!!

2Blue4You

November 14th, 2008 at 9:24 PM ^

Can MSU give him more money? He uses the Tennessee job combined w/ this seasons success to leverage a big contract w/ MSU. Michigan returns to prominance and MSU returns to second fiddle in the state and MSU is stuck paying out the ass for a coach that can't get the program out of the shadows around it.

Yinka Double Dare

November 14th, 2008 at 9:35 PM ^

They won't be able to match what Tennessee would pay, but frankly he deserves a raise anyways. Bielema's making about 250K more than Dantonio, and he's a doof. Dantonio should at least be making more than him.

I think MSU could pay him 2 million though. Between a good season this year (albeit in a down league) and the best recruiting class they've had in years, they'd be smart to hold on to him. And at 2 million I think he'd stay -- if you look at his background he's spent basically his entire career in Ohio, Michigan, and a short time in Indiana. I think he's a Midwest guy.

Of course, if MSU won't give him much of a raise and UT comes with an offer of like 3 million, he'd be an idiot not to consider it. If MSU can get him to 2 million or a little under though, well, expectations are a bit easier to meet at MSU. Beat UM every few years, don't be an embarrassment, and have winning records. If he gets them to a Rose Bowl he'll be a god there.

On the other hand UT fans will bitch if he doesn't win a title within 5 years. That's a national title, not an SEC title.

DoctorWorm

November 14th, 2008 at 9:47 PM ^

By "starting to heat up", you mean "more idiots on internet message boards are mentioning him as one candidate along with every other decent coach in the country".

I don't think Michigan fans understand. Like Dantonio said when he took the job, "This is [his] final coaching position". That means he's here to stay. And he's staying to make Michigan State a national powerhouse. That's his goal. That's our goal.

And even looking at it logically, why would he cut ties and run? He's building up a great program for a fanbase that's been rabid for one since Daugherty, basically. Why would he bail on the new facilities, the new respect, the 9-2 season, the best recruiting class in years, just to start over rebuilding in a much tougher conference at a school he has no ties to?

It's stupid I have to actually say this. I expected someone on here to point out the obvious before I could. Oh well.

lhglrkwg

November 15th, 2008 at 10:50 AM ^

it's nice for coaches to say that school A is their final school but there's something to be said about the jump in prestige and talent from a middle of the road D1 team to a big name school. you can say you want to build it into a national power but that takes time and impatience is certainly a factor. i think it's random that dantonio is linked to tennessee but it's not insane to think that a coach would want to go coach for a traditional D1 power

beardog07

November 14th, 2008 at 9:57 PM ^

"This is [his] final coaching position".

Our coach said something like that last year when he was coaching WVU. Don't be a fucking naive idiot. Sorry, but Tennessee is a much better program than MSU.

DoctorWorm

November 14th, 2008 at 11:54 PM ^

Except Dantonio isn't, you know, a greedy slimeball.

Don't be a fucking naive idiot. Dantonio came in, took control of a program, changed it from a 4-8 team running the spread to a 7-5 team running pro-style in a single year. Rodriguez came in lusting after money, took control of the program, changed it from a 9-3 team running pro-style and molded it into a 3-7 spread team.

I know you hate to look at it, but times change. MSU was in charge of this state in the 50s and 60s. Wolverines never really admit it, but the balance of power has changed before, and it can change again. Will it? Maybe, maybe not. But it can. Not every coach is a money hungry jerk out for himself first, last, and always, like your charming head coach. Blinded by your sheer arrogance, you still maintain that this brilliant coach of yours, the same coach that lost to Toledo at home with 4 and 5 star talent, the same coach that has buried you in the dregs of a Big Ten in a conference down year, will lead you to a national championship in 3-4 years?

Don't be a fucking naive idiot. It's our turn now.

ShockFX

November 15th, 2008 at 12:03 AM ^

It was 21-14 Michigan ahead of MSU in the 3rd this year right? I mean, this worst team in Michigan history was ahead of MSU with 15 minutes remaining this year. Dantonio has yet to beat a good team, and only beat Wisconsin after Bielma threw the game away. OSU 45 - MSU 7. Seriously? You're going to come here and talk shit that no one cares about?

"Wahhhhh, wahhhhh it's OUR turn now." Whatever dude.

DoctorWorm

November 15th, 2008 at 9:46 AM ^

Haha. It's pretty pathetic when your only argument is "WE LED AT ONE POINT!"

Cool. We led with ten minutes to go in the fourth last year. Remember? An MSU team in its first year of transition from a spread to a pro-style led a Michigan team proclaimed to be National Championship contenders preseason. Your argument makes no sense. What are you trying to prove? You led with the help of a little miscall from the refs? You still couldn't hold on, even with their help?

You sound like your own stereotype of a Spartan fan. "WE ALMOST BEAT YOU DAD GUM IT!" "YOU CAN'T BE ANYONE GOOD, ONLY US!" "AT LEAST OHIO STATE CAN BEAT YOU!"

Pathetic. If you don't care, why are you responding?

TheMichiganDif…

November 15th, 2008 at 2:22 PM ^

We led because of a gifted non-TD and beating a prevent defense before the half. Outside of that one drive in the third, we sucked. Again.

MSU owned us straight up, missed a few FGs, and dominated us in the fourth quarter. I don't know how any rational Michigan fan can say we were even close to MSU this year.

You sound like a Notre Dame fan. "We almost beat USC! YAY!"

In reply to by TheMichiganDif…

ShockFX

November 15th, 2008 at 3:18 PM ^

I was parodying his shit about how MSU is going to be a national contender and is close to UM in any way. I mean, the guy lead with:

"Don't be a fucking naive idiot. Dantonio came in, took control of a program, changed it from a 4-8 team running the spread to a 7-5 team running pro-style in a single year. Rodriguez came in lusting after money, took control of the program, changed it from a 9-3 team running pro-style and molded it into a 3-7 spread team."

Because Rodriguez MOLDED a 3-7 spread team. You know, fuck him for leaving Nick Sheridan as the best option at QB.

DoctorWorm

November 15th, 2008 at 5:20 PM ^

"I was parodying his shit about how MSU is going to be a national contender and is close to UM in any way."

Read closely. I never said that MSU was going to be a national contender. I said that's what Dantonio wants, and the opportunity is there. It's a possibility. You deny this. That's why I'm confused by your rabid rejection of any possible resurgence in the MSU football program at any time. Think about it. You're saying that for all eternity, UM will be better than MSU. Forever is a long time.

In reply to by TheMichiganDif…

Magnus

November 15th, 2008 at 4:13 PM ^

The point is, against Michigan's WORST TEAM EVER, the Spartans were still on the edge of their seats, even with this "coaching savior" who's got his program to such an elite level that he won't even take a look at Tennessee, an program with potential for greatness.

Like it or not, there's a difference between getting blown out and losing a close game.

TheMichiganDif…

November 15th, 2008 at 5:43 PM ^

That game was a lot closer to a blowout than it was to being a close game.

If it weren't for that Minor TD and a few muffed snaps by Sparty's special teams, we would have trailed for nearly the entire game. You guys are embarassing. We were lucky to keep it within 2 TDs. MSU ran it at will throughout the 4th quarter, and our passing game didn't do squat. It was not close. Admit it and move on.

ShockFX

November 15th, 2008 at 7:56 PM ^

No one is disputing that it was close to a blowout. That MSU had enough "Sparty, No!" moments to keep them in the game. We're just saying that the best MSU team in years was still trailing the worst UM team ever late in the game. It's not that we "almost beat MSU", it's just the worst UM team in history wasn't that far behind the best MSU team we've seen in a while.

jmblue

November 15th, 2008 at 12:05 AM ^

Is this a real MSU fan, or a parody? It's hard to tell sometimes. We are talking about a school that has gone through five head football coaches in the last decade, and yet he/she is convinced that Dantonio is suddenly going to decide it's a destination school? And we're "fucking naive idiots" for being skeptical?

befuggled

November 15th, 2008 at 12:24 PM ^

The only question I have is whether or not it's intentional.

It would be truly naive to think that Dantonio wouldn't at least talk to Tennessee. He doesn't even have to take the job to benefit financially. He's already in a good spot to negotiate a more lucrative contract (what with Sparty having its best season in a decade, and interviewing with Tennessee (or even threatening to interview with Tennessee) only gives him more leverage.

In fact, I think Dantonio would be naive not to talk to them.

I Blue Myself

November 15th, 2008 at 12:21 AM ^

Dantonio also had a lot of success at Cincinnati, then left after three years for greener pastures and more money. Did that make him a slimeball? And why wouldn't he do the same thing to MSU if he got a better opportunity elsewhere?

People move to better jobs all the time when they get the chance. I don't think Dantonio or Rodriguez is a terrible person for doing so.

kgh10

November 15th, 2008 at 1:24 AM ^

It's amazing you can read this blog and still believe everything you just wrote. You may get by on other blogs or boards with that ideology, but Brian makes it a point to logically disprove the falsities that the MSM says about RR and the state of UM football before and after he was hired. It's a shame you haven't learned anything.

Also, must we constantly mention that the only time MSU was ever a power was when they took advantage of allowing black players on their teams when the traditionally powerful programs would't allow it? There is no such advantage any longer, sorry.

Is your memory that short that you cannot remember Dantonio leaving Cinci for MSU prior to their bowl game that year? You know, for more money and a more prestigious job? Yeah...not a greasy slimeball, not like RR who did the EXACT. SAME. THING. Your amusing rhetoric will not change that fact.

Listen, you may think RR will destroy a program that has been a model of consistency and relative success over its 125+ year existance. Maybe he does, but if anyone is getting the benefit of the doubt, it's a guy with a 20 year proven track record of success and innovation. Is it a guarantee? Certainly not, but I'm glad we took the chance.

However, if you looked at his first season at WVU, would you reasonably predict three consecutive 11-win seasons and two BCS bowl wins over traditional powerhouse programs? This was with a program without the resources Michigan has. Unless the guy has amnesia and forgot how to coach, I think you can make a reasonable prediction that he will be a success in 3-4 years...it's logic and precedent, not "sheer arrogance."

scottiemmm

November 15th, 2008 at 10:02 AM ^

this guy cracks me up!

Uh, our coach didn't come in and say "Yeh, I'll give it two years and then see if somewhere better comes along" so he couldn't possibly leave.
Oh, and the fact that your worst team ever barely lost to our best team ever, how could that be an insult? Haha, you guys insulted yourselves.

chitownblue (not verified)

November 15th, 2008 at 10:21 AM ^

Don't you be a fucking naive idiot.

Mark Dantonio's salary at Cincy: $550,000 per year.
Mark Dantonio's salary at MSU: $1,100,000 per year.

He doubled his salary. So save the "Evil Greedy Rodriguez" meme. He took a better paying job at a more prestigious institution - same as Dantonio did. Does that make Dantonio evil and money-grubbing? Of course not - it makes you a hypocrite.

You come on this site, Dr. Worm, regularly, to complain about this hackneyed "You are all so fucking arrogant" stereotype. Is it in evidence sometimes? Sure. But you seem to miss that your constant presence here affirms the stupid-as-shit "Sparty can't stop obsessing about U of M" meme that everyone loves spouting.

Trying being civil, and maybe you will be treated civilly.

Yinka Double Dare

November 15th, 2008 at 5:35 PM ^

1) He's already left a job and doubled his salary once. So if RR is a "greedy slimeball", so is Dantonio. The university, as the ones who were going to pay most of the buyout, were the driving force behind trying to pay less on the buyout, not RR. Not to mention RR had already turned down a huge pay raise once when Bama tried to get him, so obviously he wasn't purely driven to UM and away from WVU by money.

2) If Tenn wants Dantonio, they can pay him more than MSU can. There is no doubt about this. Around 3 million is middle of the pack SEC coach money. It's what the highest paid coach in the Big Ten makes (Ferentz). Tressel would be about the 8th highest paid coach in the SEC, and he's second highest in the Big Ten.

If Tenn makes him their #1 target and MSU wants to hold on to him, they have to give him a big raise. It's one thing to say "this is my last job" when you first take over a program - I'm sure he believed it then, he probably never would have expected a monstrous offer from someone to get him to leave. It's another when an offer to triple your salary is right in front of you. Could anyone honestly blame him if he took the money if that happened? I mean, other than WVU fans?

I would still be a bit surprised if it happened though. He really doesn't seem like a fit there if you ask me (and you're not).

Coach

November 15th, 2008 at 3:43 AM ^

Rich Rod left WVU for one of the 5 best jobs in college football. Tennessee is not of those jobs.

There are several factors that should keep Dantonio at MSU. His kids were born in Michigan, and his wife is adamant about this being his last job. His fanbase thinks that he is a god. Expectations are relatively low; he's not expected to compete for the MNC. His biggest rivals are currently as bad as they've ever been.

The only thing that Tennessee can offer Dantonio is money. He'd have ridiculous expectations, an insane fanbase that would 2nd guess his every move, a much tougher conference, and rivals that are currently elite teams. Plus his recruiting experience is in the midwest and not the southeast.

The comparisons/allusions to Saban are ridiculous. The situations are not even remotely similar. Saban is the ultimate money grubbing whore. I don't understand how anybody could see Nick Saban in Mark Dantonio. Dantonio wants to build MSU into an elite program. Can he do it? I doubt it. But I think that he's gonna give it his best shot. And I don't think that he'll leave before he either accomplishes that goal or fails horribly while trying to do so.

wooderson

November 15th, 2008 at 12:41 AM ^

Believing a coach when he says "this is my final coaching job" is sadder than believing in Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Great Pumpkin, WMD's.... you name it. Especially from a fan of a team once coached by Nick Saban. I smell a troll.

GNM

November 15th, 2008 at 4:07 AM ^

Tenn can do better. They, along with Clemson, are probably the best job open this year. If I were a successful coach, I would sure go to either of those schools before Washington or Kansas State.

MD sucks with the media and just doesn't have the pedigree for the national stage. He is an excellent fit at MSU, where he won't be asked to compete nationally, and won't have to, unless of course George Wallace rises from the grave, gets elected president, and bans black players from the SEC.

chitownblue (not verified)

November 15th, 2008 at 10:49 AM ^

Largely, I don't think he does. I do think that several statements he made after last year's game (a coach, IMO, shouldn't engage in a war of words with an opposing player) were sort of crazy.

Brian

November 15th, 2008 at 10:52 AM ^

FWIW: unionfutura, an established OSU insider at Buckeye Planet, has posted that high-level Tennessee boosters have indicated Dantonio is probably #1 on their list at the moment, so this rumor now has 3+ sources and is likely to be correct.

No idea if the interest is mutual, though, and since this is a coaching search it is crazy and nothing that seems true may actually be true.