What was coach Dantonio's biggest mistake so far?

[ToP]

Originally Posted by YourMom'sNewBoyfriend

Not challenging the spot of the punt in the first half against iowa. Every replay showed the ball never went into the endzone and that we downed it between the goal line and the one. We even had a tv timeout to consider challenging it. Instead we gave iowa the ball on the 20 and they busted a 35 yarder that led to their first score of the game.

Seriously I don't think he gets the challenge thing.

Well, I KNOW you don't get it. You can't challenge a call in the Big Ten.

Big Ten Conference - Official Athletic Site - Football

Q. Who can initiate a review of an official's call?
A. Only the Technical Advisor serving as the review official for the game. Neither the game officials nor the coaches may ask for a review

[Lochgelly]

This one is easy....the failing to put in D-Line substitutes in the NW game...those guys were dead tired by the middle of the 3rd quarter...and the same 5 guys played the whole time. You could see they were TOTALLY dragging...arms on hips...bent over...breathing heavy...leave em' in for another Bacher/Omar Conteh beating...time after time after time...drive after drive after drive...the need for fresh legs out there was so desperate it wasn't even funny. A fundamental failure on the coaches part.

Fresh legs for a series or even a set of downs would have rejuvenated the starters, gave backups a reason for busting butt in practice (and yes, even if there is a talent drop off, I think they would have made the difference themselves on that day (90 degress and close to 100% humidity))....fresh guys with fresh legs on THAT day would have meant WAY more than just the talent...and it cost us the game.

[vator88]

Originally Posted by ToP

Well, I KNOW you don't get it. You can't challenge a call in the Big Ten.

Big Ten Conference - Official Athletic Site - Football

No, but by calling a time out you give the booth review guys more time to evaluate it. Hope those three first half time outs look good on the mantel.

[In a pylon st8ofmind]

Originally Posted by msugolfguy

His biggest mistake was taking the MSU job.

Ding Ding Ding.

[SpartanStu]

Originally Posted by msugolfguy

His biggest mistake was taking the MSU job.

What he said

[HUT1HUT2]

Originally Posted by Mitch Bucannon

Previous Spartan teams would just go belly up after blowing a 14pt lead. MSU played hard and came back to put the game into OT. There will be ups and downs in a season like ups and downs in a game, but the character of the team is different from past teams, there is were the improvement lies.

Good point. His team does play hard. Lacks talent.

[PipersFly]

and having him call D signals.

Thornhill proved unequivocally over the past years he cannot function in the Div. 1 as the MIKE. So, everyone knows he cannot play that position so playing anyone else cannot hurt.

Thornhill cannot tackle, he has no lateral mobility, he has no straigh-ahead spead, he does not have a nose for the ball, he avoids contact at all costs, he will not leave his feet. Apart from those elements he is a hoss.

I just can't understand it.

He's seems to be a nice enough little boy, but he is not a football player. Dantonio talked toughness coming in the front door, yet he plays a total wuss at his MIKE?