Rose Bowl Hall of Fame (2024) Mark Justin Dantonio (born March 9, 1956) is an American college football coach and former player.

[1] This was the second time a Big Ten team reached the 13-win mark, the previous being Ohio State's national championship season in 2002, where Dantonio was the defensive coordinator.

The 2013 season also marked the first time a Big Ten team won nine conference games each by double digits.

"[3] In 2014, he earned the second highest salary among college football coaches, due largely to a retention bonus.

[4] On September 21, 2019, with his 110th victory, Dantonio became the winningest head coach in MSU football surpassing Duffy Daugherty.

[6] On February 4, 2020, Dantonio announced he would be retiring as the head coach of the Michigan State football team after 13 seasons and 114 wins.

Dantonio's grandfather Frank D'antonio moved from Montenerodomo, Italy, to the United States – losing the apostrophe at Ellis Island – in 1912.

[citation needed] Dantonio's father played basketball at Salem University and met his mother while teaching in El Paso.

[2] Dantonio attended the University of South Carolina and earned three letters as a defensive back for coach Jim Carlen for the Gamecocks from 1976–78.

He spent two years, in 1983 and 1984, as a graduate assistant at Ohio State University under head coach Earle Bruce.

In 1986, he began a five-year stint on Jim Tressel's staff at Youngstown State University as a defensive secondary coach.

For his efforts, Dantonio was named a 2002 finalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation's top college football assistant coach.

During Dantonio's time at UC, he led the Bearcats to a bowl game victory and directed the team's transition into the Big East Conference.

[13] Dantonio's second season at MSU began with a loss at Cal, after which the Spartans came home and won six straight games against Eastern Michigan, Florida Atlantic, Notre Dame, Indiana, Iowa, and Northwestern.

Following a lopsided 45–7 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Spartans beat Michigan, 35–21, winning in Ann Arbor for the first time since 1990.

On September 19, 2010, just hours after a stunning fake field goal touchdown pass gave MSU a 34–31 overtime victory over Notre Dame, Dantonio checked himself into a hospital after noticing chest pains.

On November 27, 2010, Dantonio's Spartans defeated Penn State 28–22 in Happy Valley to finish the season 11–1 and clinch a share of the Big Ten Championship for the first time since 1990.

On December 5, 2010, MSU announced that the Spartans were selected to play in the Capital One Bowl on January 1, 2011, against Alabama (ranked 15th in the BCS standings).

The Spartans beat the Ohio State Buckeyes on the road for the first time since 1998, defeated arch-rival Michigan, and upset No.

In 2012, Dantonio led the Spartans to a 7–6 record and a Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl win against Texas Christian University.

[15] MSU lost a 12–10 decision to Michigan, despite the defense keeping the Wolverines out of the end zone the entire game.

[17] In 2013, Dantonio's team finished 11–1 in the regular season, including notable victories over Michigan (29–6) and Nebraska (41–28) to secure the third and final Legends Division title.

The two losses came against Oregon and Ohio State, the teams that would play in the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship.

With the game tied at 14 in the final seconds, Michael Geiger kicked a 41-yard field goal as time expired.

[21] This season was also known for its game-changing touchdown following a botched punt on the final play of the Michigan game, giving MSU a shocking 27–23 victory.

[18] Michigan State went on to beat an undefeated Iowa team in the Big Ten Championship Game, and ended the season ranked No.

Dantonio moved to 8–3 all-time against in-state rival Michigan, as the Spartans forced five turnovers and defeated the Wolverines 14–10 in Ann Arbor.

They avoided an upset by unranked Utah State in the first game of the season, with a late interception from junior linebacker Joe Bachie preserving a 38–31 victory.

[41] MSU defeated Rutgers (27–0) and Maryland (19–16) in its final two regular season games to finish at 6–6 and achieve bowl eligibility.

He left the Michigan State football program as its all-time winningest coach with a record of 114–57 and a .667 winning percentage.