Glenn Winston Situation Putting Dantonio in a Tough Spot

Glenn Winston Situation Putting Dantonio in a Tough Spot  Mark Dantonio sees his role as a football coach at MSU as a lot more than just winning and losing on

Glenn Winston Situation Putting Dantonio in a Tough Spot

 

Mark Dantonio sees his role as a football coach at MSU as a lot more than just winning and losing on the field. He sees it as winning and losing, as well as helping people with their lives.

 

Like his mentor Jim Tressel, Dantonio finds himself in a tough situation. Glenn Winston was involved in a fight that included MSU hockey players last fall. Winston was emphatic with the Spartans head coach of what his involvement was specifically. Dantonio believed Winston’s side of the story and he has served a suspension that included multiple games and other punishments that the general public is unaware of.

 

On February 11, 2009 I reported, “He will be going to trial on three charges of misdemeanor aggravated assault, and his trial will be set for a later date. He has pleaded not guilty previously.” In that same report I also said, “If Winston is found guilty of all three charges, it is highly unlikely that he will be removed from the MSU football team.”

 

Winston entered 54B District Court and pleaded guilty to one count of both aggravated assault and assault and battery for the fight that happened in the early morning hours of October 19, 2008.

 

Now on April 29, Winston will return to court and all ears will be on his statement to Judge David Jordon and what exactly he states as his actions. Winston’s dialogue with the Judge will be watched keenly by Coach Dantonio to see if the actions he pleads guilty to match his story over the last several months to the coach. There is no guarantee that he will be back with the Spartans. At best it is a 50/50 chance and even then a lot will ride on his statement.

 

Mark Dantonio issued this statement today: "Glenn Winston has been suspended immediately and indefinitely from all football-related activities."

 

The Spartans have one of the best incoming freshman running backs classes in the country that will be enrolling this summer and stable of backs that are already in house. That, however, is not the issue. The issue is about how this situation gets resolved. I for one trust Mark Dantonio to handle it, and people without all the details need to withhold comment and trust the coach who has proven to be trustworthy will handle it.