Michigan State Football: What did Mark Dantonio say at his presser?
Mark Dantonio held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to step into the light a bit. What did the Michigan State football coach say?
Mark Dantonio needed to do what he did on Tuesday. The Michigan State football coach held a press conference regarding why he created a media blackout for the Spartans’ pro day as well as the first scrimmage of the spring.
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While there were many who believed that he would address the players involved, he was only there to clear up the air on why he has been so distant with the media. He claimed that he has not met with the media in order to respect the process of the sexual assault investigation, which makes sense.
Dantonio has been known for running a clean program and he’s willing to do what it takes to get Michigan State back on track. What else did the head coach have to say in his press conference?
Mark Dantonio here. Primary reason he has not met with press is "to respect the process" of sexual assault investigation.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio: "Really try to talk about who we are and what we try to do." Goal "foster a program with accountability, integrity & class."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio: "We got high standards of conduct here. We always have. We've gone to great lengths to maintain that."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio: "We want to respect the process. I can't say enough about that through the whole situation."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio said he did not comment on Feb. 9 because "I work for them," in regard to Mark Hollis and Lou Anna K. Simon.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio says the assault investigation has affected "everything we've done" in the football program this spring.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio: "Standing up here to talk about who the QB will be is trivial." Said that's unfair to the investigation as a whole.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio: Reason talking is because of spring game. Said he thought it investigation would be finalized, "but that has not been the case."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio talking today to "step out into the light a little bit."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio calls it an "opportunity to recenter ourselves as a program and as people."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio says "there are some players that are suspended" beyond the three involved in the sexual assault allegations.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio said Drake Martinez has transferred. No problem with Thiyo Lukusa. Reschke situation "detailed in the paper as well."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio on chemistry: "When things happen to a football program or a family, it takes a minute to regather & come together."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio on investigation: "I don't want to minimize that in any way, so that's why we've taken this action."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio: "I'm gonna allow our players to play with their respective numbers on their backs."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio: "I cannot comment on an investigation. That's not my place. I'm a football coach."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio: "I hope everyone understands this is not business as usual." Not talking about football issues.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio on morale of spring: "It's been as strong as it's ever been."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio cannot comment on Curtis Blackwell. "We're not gonna get into specifics about any individual."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Suspensions of three unnamed players made by administration and program. Cannot say when they were suspended.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio: "Only slightly" possible that MSU had considered canceling spring game. "That really wasn't taken into account very seriously."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio asked if any other suspensions on staff. MSU spokesman Jason Cody told me last week that no other staff members were suspended.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio said he moved spring practice up because of lack of bowl practice. Decision made in December.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio says he still feels the team will improve from a 3-9 season.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio on personal challenge: "There are no easy challenges...To me, this is part of the deal,..You define yourself as a leader."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio said it's not fair to ID other suspended players. "I'm pointing a compass toward other individuals."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio avoiding football ?s. "At this point in time with the investigation not completely done, I don't think it's fair to trivialize."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio: "This is serious. extremely serious."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio asked about a message to the fans who are concerned: "Go Green."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio on what he'd tell other parents of MSU daughters. "I'm going to do the best to protect our community to the best of my abilities."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio asked what disappoints him most about the incident or reaction: "That it occurred."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
Dantonio asked about recruiting w/o Curtis Blackwell: "We have closed ranks and picked up the pieces, and recruiting has gone very well."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 28, 2017
As you can see, not much has been revealed about the actual investigation as Dantonio cannot comment until it’s concluded. He handled the press conference well and avoided trivial questions, as he called them.
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One thing that did stick out to me was the fact he said other players have been suspended that are not tied to the sexual assault investigation. It’ll be interesting to see which guys are absent from the spring game on Saturday.