TONY GUASTELLA BRINGS US UPDATE #3 FROM THE BIG TEN MEDIA DAYS IN CHICAGO WITH HONDO!

I’m ready to run through a wall. I’ve been at speaking engagements by Mark Dantonio before, but today was different. I was at his first press conference

I’m ready to run through a wall. I’ve been at speaking engagements by Mark Dantonio before, but today was different. I was at his first press conference as the head coach and at that point I knew there was something about him that I liked as a Spartan fan.  Today was different though. Today he made me want to strap on a helmet and shoulder pads and get on the field at Spartan Stadium and knock some Wolverine head off.Â

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Coach D isn’t the funniest man in the world, and he’ll be the first to admit that.  He won’t yell at a press conference the way other coaches would. He won’t be caught slapping himself either. This man is intense. In every aspect of the day today, he did everything with an intensity to him that I haven’t seen in a coach at MSU since Nick Saban. Whether he was talking about Arthur Ray and his possible, and hopeful come back, the UAB game on September 1st or the rivalry with Michigan, everything he says has an intensity and a truth to it that should make any Spartan fan believe one thing: He will turn this program into a winner, and he will do it sooner rather than later. Here are some points that he made today at the media day.

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• When asked about the renovations going on at the Duffy building he said that they have put 16-17 million dollars into it and it will be as good as any facility in the conference.
• Throughout the print/radio part of the day he stressed that the attitude is changing at MSU.
• Coach D stressed that the Defense is very young. He also said “We won’t accept a soft defense.” which I absolutely loved to hear.
• In terms of when he says he wants respect from the fans he said that it will be during the first snap of the UAB game.
• He said that Arthur Ray Jr. had very successful surgery on Monday. It lasted 14 hours. He said Arthur has an unbelievable attitude. He wants to come back to school sometime this year, whether it is September or January. He would also like to start playing ball again in 1-2 years. They are also holding a scholarship for him so that he can go to school whether he plays again or not, which I thought shows great character in Coach D and the program.
• He said that the team needs to learn where the program has been in order to take it back to where they want it. Â
• When asked about Michigan he said that he always has respect for them. He wants his players to always have them in the back of their mind when they need more motivation. He also stated that the rivalry between MSU and UM is more fierce than the rivalry between UM and OSU. He then said “When we can play with Michigan we can pay with anyone in the country.” which to me shows the ultimate respect for their program.