CBS Sports: Is Mark Dantonio on Texas' Radar?

[primal defense]

Coaching Changes Daily: Dantonio on Texas' radar? Is Pelini safe?

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1. Doubt he's interested – and he pretty much shut the door on Texas in a press conference this week – but there's strong industry buzz Michigan State's Mark Dantonio is on Texas' radar as search firm Korn/Ferry does preliminary research for AD Steve Patterson.

Expect Texas to cast a wide net, and Dantonio's model works. He's averaged more than 10 wins per year since 2010 at Michigan State without the top resources in the Big Ten.

But Dantonio, who has a $2 million annuity coming his way plus a potential contract reworking with AD Mark Hollis, had the best quote among coaches asked at a recent press conference.

“I see Michigan State as a destination, not a stop,†said Dantonio, according to MLive.com. “Flattering, but that's how I see it.â€

Coaches typically fall in two categories, those hungry for change and those with a steady situation that's not worth abandoning. I'd put Dantonio in the latter category.

But the names that are popping up as intruging Texas, such as Dantonio and Stanford's David Shaw, would indicate Patterson sees value in a polished, high-integrity, no-nonsense coach.

Keep in mind, Texas also needs a coach who can handle the Texas pressure-cooker -- shaking hands and patting backs like Mack Brown did masterfully, and Brian Kelly does well at Notre Dame. Not every coach can do that, and Dantonio probably doesn't need that headache.

Coaching Changes Daily: Dantonio on Texas' radar? Is Pelini safe? - CBSSports.com

 

[Longhornleghorn]

I actually have a lot of respect for Dantonio and think he is a heck of a coach. He has been incredibly successful (63-29, 68.5%, won or tied for 2 conference titles, 2 division titles) at a school that has historically struggled in the shadow of their in-state rival. Michigan State has an all-time record of 657–437–44 (59.9%) and before this year hadn't been to the Rose Bowl as conference champion since the 1987 season. Dantonio has the highest winning percentage at MSU of any coach in the last 60 years, including Nick Saban, who won 59.3% of the games during his 5-year stretch (59.3%).

Dantanio coaches a disciplined team that manages fundamentals well. He has DC experience at Ohio State. Meaning, he has seen behind the curtain on a top 5 job in college football. He's coached under Jim Tressel and Saban. He's a no BS kind of guy that Texas could really use after the MBTF era.

My only concern with Dantonio is his health. I haven't heard any updates, but I know that incident in 2010 with the blood clot was pretty scary. I also am not sure that he will leave MSU. I get the sense he is going to be a lifer with the Spartans.

 

[Topstarr]

NO he is not on our radar.

 

[palmettohorn]

Great guy for Mich. St.

Non-starter for us.

 

[Pancho Negro]

Dantonio apparently at the UT/MSU basketball game today sitting next to Patterson.

 

[palmettohorn]

Dantonio apparently at the UT/MSU basketball game today sitting next to Patterson.

Interesting.

But just don't see him as HC of The University, nor do I think he even wants it.

No black hats.

 

[orangeflow]

Smoke Screen

 

[Darrell McPhaul]

Great coach and should be considered. With that said, he is not the target

 

[primal defense]

Dantonio apparently at the UT/MSU basketball game today sitting next to Patterson.

All he had to do was a take a trip with the basketball team to Austin, sit next to Patterson, and he gets a raise. Dantonio is a smart guy.