Coach D tells recruits/UM that MSU will be a player in state
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio was the keynote speaker at this year’s National Football Foundation/Detroit Free Press Dream Team Banquet at Ford Field. Coach D wasted no time on the podium in selling his philosophy to the state’s most elite high school players.
Before he even began speaking he pointed at the University of Michigan table and made a rather bold statement to the UM coaches sitting there.
“We will be a player in this state. We will measure up. I can promise you that.”
That’s quite a statement.
Dantonio stressed that it was important for recruits to pick a coach that they can call up ten years from now. He talked about the importance of a strong coach/player bond and trust.
He also had six key points of advice for the players at the banquet.
- They have to be a good person. They will face many challenging choices and temptations. They have to choose to do the right thing.
- They shouldn’t lose sight of their family. They should always reach back and give back to them. They should Keep their family close to them.
- They have to accept coaching. It’s important that they listen to their coaches who will help them get better every day.
- They need to get their degree. They’ve done themselves a disservice if they don’t graduate.
- It’s a privilege to play college football. They need to do something with that privilege. They need to be a role model in the community.
- To be the best they can be, they need to strive to win a championship.
You get the sense that we’re at the beginning of a new era in Michigan State football. At the very least you can tell that Coach D believes that.