The Times, They Are A-Changin'

First, let me say that I’m an outsider. I never attended Michigan State University. My alma mater is Central Michigan University. When I originally came to

First, let me say that I’m an outsider. I never attended Michigan State University. My alma mater is Central Michigan University. When I originally came to Spartan Nation dot com, it was because someone mentioned the vast amount of Detroit Lions info on the site in the Lions forum of Mlive. Over the years, I have been a fan of both Michigan and Michigan State (I grew older and wiser and stuck with MSU in the rivalry).

To quote one of the greatest singer-songwriters alive, “The times, they are a-changin’.” The faithful over in Ann Arbor couldn’t wait to get Lloyd Carr. I heard some say that the game had passed him by. When he announced his retirement back in November, many rejoiced and arrogantly thought that every coach in America would be lined up past Crisler Arena waiting for a chance to even interview for the open position. Unfortunately, they tried to hire multiple people and were denied by others. That’s when it became humorous for Spartan faithful. Rich Rodriguez was finally hired and things started changing (including the firing of their strength and condition Mike Gittleson who had held the position for over 30 years and dumping all of their equipment…my team thanks you for the machines we got!).

Meanwhile, in our state’s capital, things were changing as well. Mark Dantonio was hired last year from the University of Cincinnati. He donned the green and white under Nick Saban and Bobby Williams before moving on to the defensive coordinator spot at Ohio State under Jim Tressel. It’s easy to see that he loves being a Spartan. He has embraced everything MSU and talks of family frequently. Those who play for Coach Dantonio are his kids. Their families are part of his family. Mark wants to embrace the state of Michigan and make inroads to the high schools. Look at how extensively they have worked to cultivate relationships with coaches, players, and schools in Detroit. He knows that you should look for talent in your own back yard and then look in your neighbor’s (meaning look into Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and the rest of the Midwest). I’ve heard from multiple pundits that this is the best recruiting class from the state of Michigan in ages. We have all heard about many of these players who have given their verbal to our Spartans.

So here we are. The 2008 season is two games old. Both Michigan and Michigan State are 1-1 after beating a MAC team each. Those Ann Arbor faithful know they will be in for a long season without the usual high winning percentage. Meanwhile, over in East Lansing, there is talk of taking the next step to hopefully winning a Big Ten Championship and also playing in a January 1 bowl game. MRod has been embroiled in controversy and their athletic department had to “pay his bills” so to speak. Dantonio talks of family and embraces people like Tom Izzo, even making him a coach at the spring football scrimmage this year. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve met Rodriguez and he’s a great guy. It would be cool to go grab a cold one with him and talk football. He’s an average Joe that is very approachable. Unfortunately, I’ve heard that he belittles the players in practice.

I have to say that the future looks brighter for Michigan State than Michigan. Personally, I don’t think there are many teams that Dantonio might leave for. Maybe his alma mater down in South Carolina, but he seems like the type of guy who would have to be fired to leave. It sure doesn’t look like he’ll be fired anytime soon. Rich, on the other hand, seems like a “ladder climber” to me. He hasn’t stayed in one place more than six seasons and keeps moving up. Who is to say that he wouldn’t go after the USC job or Miami if they became available? On the flipside of that, how long is the Michigan faithful going to wait until they become impatient and get him fired? Will he even get a chance to get his recruits in and watch them leave for the NFL early?

The recruiting class of 2009 looks great for MSU. Michigan just had another big time recruit in Will Campbell rescind his commitment to play for Michigan. Michigan has players who are coming in, but not many from the state of Michigan. Hondo commented that this past Saturday, 50 of the 93 players dressed in Spartan gear hail from the state of Michigan. The Spartans have players like Andrew Maxwell from Midland High, Edwin Baker from Oak Park, Larry Caper from Battle Creek, and Blake Treadwell from East Lansing coming in. They are all character players. I doubt if Dantonio would bring someone in unless they will conduct themselves as a valuable member of the community. He wants players like Otis Wiley, who has selflessly mad himself available to befriend sick children and attend events across the state. Michigan will always get good players because, historically, they have been one of the top programs in the country. My question is whether or not they will get high character players, or even care to try and recruit specifically those types of players or focus solely on athletic ability. Future recruiting classes from the state might be more prone to chose Michigan State over Michigan because of the effort by the football staff to get to know in state players and go after them with much vigor. It also helps that the Spartans seem to be headed in the right direction and have made great strides in only one season under Dantonio and his staff.

Michigan State has set up Mark Dantonio to succeed. I wouldn’t be surprised to see multiple members of his coaching staff in other colors as head coaches. It wouldn’t surprise me either if many of them stayed and continued to work under Dantonio. For those who are avid readers of Spartan Nation, no doubt you have read Hondo’s articles about multiple members of the Athletic Department staff. This staff, from top to bottom cares greatly about Michigan State and their image in Michigan as well as across the country. Michigan, on the other hand, has been involved in multiple controversies in the past year. There was the scathing report in the Ann Arbor News about the athletic department and the lax requirements in regards to academic standards for athletes. That, coupled with the lawsuit involving Rich Rodriguez and West Virginia, and really dragged their reputation through the mud.

In my opinion, we have everything set up. It’s still far too early to start talking about National Championships, but great strides have been made in only one year. We have the jump on Michigan in recruiting within our state. Our system has been taught and the players are comfortable with it. The coaches know each player and their strengths and weaknesses. Spartan football players know what is expected of them and the consequences they will face if they disobey the rules. Dantonio and staff have shown a great respect for Michigan State University, its movers and shakers, their shared history, the impact that a winning football team can have on the psyche of a student body, and how a family atmosphere can bring players together even when they are far away from home. We are lucky to have Coach Mark Dantonio leading our football program.