Dantonio is embracing MSU’s challenges
Brand new Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio wasted no time letting UM and OSU know that his program plans on competing with both schools for recruits. Joe Rexrode of the Lansing State Journal and other members of the media sat down for a Q&A session with Dantonio this week.
Q: At an all-state banquet last week in Detroit, you stood up and pointed to the University of Michigan coaches table and let them know there’s a new sheriff in town. Can you talk about that?
A: What do you want me to say? I’ve always been one to accept challenges and not to try to look past people. University of Michigan is an arch-rival. I think they’ve been very successful in-state and in the nation in terms of their reputation. I think you have to respect that and admire that. But at the same time, you have to embrace the rivalry and look forward to the challenge ahead.
And I felt like something needed to be said the way the banquet was going. I felt like a statement needed to be made.