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Mark Dantonio reflects on potential to become winningest football coach in Michigan State history

Dave Holcomb

By Dave Holcomb

Published:

With a victory against Western Michigan on Saturday, Mark Dantonio won his 109th game at Michigan State. That ties him with Duffy Daugherty for most in Michigan State football history.

Obviously, it’s only a matter of time until Dantonio becomes the winningest coach in program history. It could very well happen this Saturday when the Spartans host the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Coaches aren’t known for talking too much about individual accomplishments, especially their own, but Dantonio took the time Tuesday to discuss the significance of this milestone. More specifically, he explained at length why Daugherty was such a great, innovative coach and even an important American.

“When you look at what he accomplished — four national championships, coach of the year, two-time national coach of the year, coached 29 first-time All-Americans, and I really believe he was a pioneer in the integration of college football.

“Michigan State had 20 African Americans playing on the ’66 team, 11 starters. You know that 10-10 tie? Not to be disrespectful to anybody, but Michigan State had 20 (African Americans), Notre Dame had one.”

Daugherty posted a 109-69-5 record in 19 years at the helm of the Spartans. He coached at Michigan State from 1954 to 1972.

While there are more college games per season today, Dantonio reached 109 wins in under 13 seasons with the Spartans. He is 109-51 all time at Michigan State.

Watch Dantonio’s whole reflection on Daughtery below:

 

Dave Holcomb