Michigan State Football: Mark Dantonio’s Success Goes Beyond Wins and Losses

By Alex Kolodziej | Aug 18, 2015

For Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio, the trophy case reserved for a National Championship remains draped in cobwebs.

He is no Urban Meyer, nor will you ever find Dantonio adjoined with names like Nick Saban; but the primary engineer for the Spartans has been cleaning up in the ‘small things’ department, and here’s why, as a Michigan Wolverine aficionado, I’ll submissively wait first in line to distribute my praise.

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Sauntering in from Cincinnati in 2007, Dantonio’s immediate impact uplifted a program that unwillingly snapped the lid on a 4-8 2006 season. The Spartans, scooping up just a lone conference win, would welcome in a newborn reformation, and frankly, Michigan State’s figure has yet to look back: seven expeditions with a winning clip in eight seasons, along with a pair of Big Ten championships in 2010 and 2013.

It’s a rather bleak time that transpires once early August rings in. College football fans endure a sliver of suffering, as spring practice pleasantry wears off, recruiting becoming a secondary outlet for those seeking remnants of anything collegiate pigskin.

I myself suffer from similar monotony, so I’ve disbursed a supple amount of time in keeping busy, selecting a rather scenic route in earning my dose: college football trends, how coaches perform in certain roles, and much, much more.

Dantonio’s one name that constantly arises once these numbers begin to be plugged into various equations and formulas.

I recently dabbled with FBS head coaches and how they respond following a loss, primarily if their team was a favorite of more than five points versus the spread. Dantonio tops the pack with a blemish-free 4-0 record (against the spread) since cemented as Michigan State’s ringleader (bear with my infatuation with Vegas odds), while he’s also +11.4 (against the spread margin) per contest.

Jul 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio speaks during 2015 Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

In a time where mentality and rebounding play a hefty role amidst Power Five conferences, Dantonio has bounced back in big ways, which should speak volumes to preparation and focus.

Call the Big Ten what you want. Claim that it’s gradually inclining back to the rich history that was once imminent circa the mid-2000s, or title the reincarnation a hoax. Still, I’m not quite certain people can latch on to the wear and tear of playing in hostile environments. And for the Spartans, add that they frequently embroider a fancy red target on their back come Saturday afternoons.

That’s just hazard of the trade when you’re classified a top-tier unit.

Since 2007, Dantonio has posted a 24-9 against the spread record on the road via Big Ten play, which punches the clock at No. 1 in terms of Midwest mentors. Just a pair of losses in this situation as the favorite, and it’s clear that the Spartans have kept their cool when participating as visitors. Point Dantonio.

Underdog role? Well, that’s just hysterical. Excuse me while I scrape the tears under the bridges of my eyelids.

The last 3 bowl games @MSU_Football have won (BWW, Rose, Cotton) have been come from behind W's. Dantonio never let's his players quit.
— Sean Reehoorn (@spartangrass) January 1, 2015

Following a New Year’s victory over the Baylor Bears in 2015, Dantonio has now nabbed four consecutive bowl game W’s; he had been listed an underdog in all four.

It’s not all about titles. I’m sure there’s a sense of urgency on East Lansing grounds, but before you yearn for more, take a minute to appreciate the small things.

Dantonio’s taking care of that.

Next: Spartans get respect in preseason coaches poll

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