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Social media reacts to Mark Dantonio’s sudden decision to step down at Michigan State
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Some stunning news came out of East Lansing on Tuesday afternoon, as Mark Dantonio announced in a statement that he would be stepping down as head coach at Michigan State after 13 seasons with the program.
Many speculated that the 2019 season might be Dantonio’s last as the head coach, but he continually reiterated that he planned to continue coaching the Spartans in 2020. The timing was surprising, though, as Dantonio made the decision just one day before National Signing Day.
A good chunk of Michigan State’s 2020 class had already signed their Letters of Intent.
Dantonio leaves Michigan State as the program’s all-time winningest coach, guiding the program to 115 wins in his 13 seasons. He also led the Spartans to 12 bowl games, three B1G titles and one College Football Playoff appearance.
Below are the reactions to Dantonio’s surprising announcement:
lol dantonio pic.twitter.com/m6AciZKUNH
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) February 4, 2020
Credit to Dantonio staying 20 days longer than he had to, that’s just being respectful https://t.co/QJKXYog5dp
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 4, 2020
And just like that, Mark Dantonio … disappeared pic.twitter.com/ubBWz6zOeM
— Alejandro Zúñiga (@ByAZuniga) February 4, 2020
The final loss of Mark Dantonio's career was a 44-10 defeat at the hands of the University of Michigan.
— Scott Bell (@sbell021) February 4, 2020
Mark Dantonio stepped down as head coach seven weeks after the early signing period, one day before signing day and two weeks after accepting a $4.3 million bonus
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) February 4, 2020
Mark Dantonio resigns 20 days after he became entitled to a $4.3 million retention bonus, an hour after it is reported that Curtis Blackwell is alleging Dantonio committed NCAA violations, and one day before National Signing Day.
Nothing to unpack there.
— Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) February 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/ShaneBr00ks/status/1224784744799522818?s=20
The play that was the final straw of the Mark Dantonio era at Michigan State pic.twitter.com/5YtMmr2khz
— Isaac Trotter (@Isaac__Trotter) February 4, 2020
Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio retires 20 days after receiving a $4.3 million bonus for being MSU’s coach on Jan. 15, 2020. Here’s an idea: maybe schools shouldn’t put in some of these ridiculous clauses
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) February 4, 2020
Should be fascinating to see Tom Izzo handle tonight's game vs Penn State. He and Dantonio were the faces of MSU athletics. Now it's just him, and he'll be the one fielding questions re. Dantonio's retirement … unless there's some impromptu Dantonio presser coming (doubtful).
— Brendan Quinn (@BFQuinn) February 4, 2020
Mark Dantonio just received a $4.3 million retention bonus on Jan. 15. He retired today. This is an all-time finesse move.
— Patrick Schmidt (@PatrickASchmidt) February 4, 2020
It’s time to celebrate Mark Dantonio now. Greatest Coach in school history.
Thank you Coach D. pic.twitter.com/F8Pp2V7DBv
— MSU FLAGS💚 (@MSUFlags) February 4, 2020
I don't look at the Dantonio Era through either rose-colored glasses or with jaded eyes – but realistic ones. There was a lot of good, some very troubling times, and some in-between. Timing of this retirement was NOT in the best interest of the program. Period. #MichiganState
— Ryan Schuiling (@RyanSchuiling) February 4, 2020
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB