Michigan State Football: Mark Dantonio and the case of Auston Robertson

Curtis Blackwell has sued Michigan State football and deposition of Mark Dantonio is looming. Why would he take a chance on Auston Robertson?

After listening Graham Couch on Couch and the Rube Podcast (which I highly recommend, by the way), I differed on his take.

Mark Dantonio took a chance on Auston Robertson much like legendary Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson Jr. took a chance on a player like Allen Iverson. Mind you, even Duke passed on the opportunity Iverson had been charged and was on a work farm. Yet this coach stuck his neck out for him.

When I write nobody wanted him, I mean nobody. Every basketball program was staying far away from a player like him. It’s to this point I write that what Dantonio did with Robertson was supposed to be similar to Thompson and Iverson. Thompson believed he could father the young man into something great. Dantonio believed his program’s values and ethical code would make the difference.

Dantonio took a chance because he believed his program was in the place to help and support a young man with Robertson’s problems. It’s important to note that other programs were lurking around Robertson like Clemson. Dantonio was not a lone wolf in wanting to take a chance, many programs wanted this guy.

Coaches believe and for good reason that if they could help a young man then it is them.

One could compare it to a doctor who develops a god complex where they believe they can fix everyone. Some believe that much in their culture and process. Dantonio is no different in believing he could do it. Thompson was successful with Iverson therefore, why couldn’t Dantonio be with Robertson?

However, things went awry with Robertson. Not every story is a fairy tale of redemption.

For Robertson it’s up to him to take responsibility for his life and actions. For Dantonio, it’s up to him to be honest with what he thought he could do.