Report: Mark Dantonio agrees to new Michigan State deal

Texas reportedly sought to interview Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images )

Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio's has agreed to a new contract with the school just prior to the Spartans kicking off against Stanford in Wednesday's Rose Bowl, according to Joe Schad of ESPN.

Schad reports the new deal will place Dantonio and his staff among the three-highest paid coaches in the Big Ten and that Texas did reach out to him to gauge his interest. Dantonio's salary had ranked in the bottom third of the conference.

Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis later confirmed Dantonio's agreeing to a new deal in a text message to Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press which reported an increase from $1.96 million (ninth in the Big Ten) to the $4 million range.

Reports had Dantonio among candidates that Texas athletic director Steve Patterson wished to interview as he searches for a head coach to replace Mack Brown in Austin.

Dantonio, 57, is 63-29 in his seven seasons as head coach at Michigan State.