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Michigan State Football: What’s the reason behind Mark Dantonio’s silence?

By Stephen Robb

Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio looks on from the sideline during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 45-12. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio looks on from the sideline during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 45-12. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a turbulent 2016 Michigan State football season followed with controversy off the field, what is Mark Dantonio doing to fix things?

Coach Mark Dantonio has built Michigan State into one of the powerhouse programs in the Big Ten and has competed in prominent bowl games. He must now navigate a Spartan program with swirling controversy and recover from the rocky road of 2016.

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Dantonio is not giving media any pictures or access during spring practice. Trouble appears to have found the Spartan football program more often than not in recent months. Curtis Blackwell has been suspended and there is an investigation of three players in a sexual assault case. Not to mention the Spartans are coming off their worst season since the John L. Smith years.

Fans and media should not be surprised that Dantonio has cut off all access. This is what he does in order to achieve maximum focus from his players. He has taken this approach before huge games in the past. Also, he was mum about why Max Bullough was suspended for the Rose Bowl in 2013. If John Reschke had not brought up the reason he was leaving the program then fans and media would be left wondering about that situation.

Now speculation circles about which players were involved in the sexual assault case. One thing I know for sure is that Dantonio is not afraid to suspend or kick a player off the team. He has done this in the past — remember the Rather Hall incident. He has a habit of letting the process take its course and, in this case, it’s an investigation. He does not want to make a misstep and wants all his ducks lined up in a row in order to make the decision (if he ultimately is allowed to).

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It’s easy to understand why media and fans might be upset or dismayed that Dantonio would do this, but again this is what he does. He wants to avenge more than anybody that 3-9 record from last year and he believes that this drastic action must be taken in order to get everyone on the page. MSU has to shut the noise out in order to focus, because these days there is much to detract  attention.

Dantonio will have these players ready come September.

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