Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio suffers apparent heart attack
Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio was hospitalized with symptoms consistent with a heart attack shortly after an overtime victory against Notre Dame.
The school, which called a news conference for Sunday afternoon, said Dantonio had a stent put in a blocked blood vessel leading to the heart.
Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio was hospitalized following the Spartans' overtime win against Notre Dame on Saturday.
Associated Press file photo
"He is young, in excellent shape and the damage to his heart was minimal."
The 54-year-old Dantonio is expected to stay at Sparrow Hospital near campus for a few days.
Offensive coordinator Don Treadwell will lead the team during Dantonio's indefinite absence. The No. 25 Spartans play Northern Colorado on Saturday.
"This is a time for Spartan Nation to rally around Coach D and the football program," Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis said in a statement. "We all look forward to his return to the sidelines. The thoughts of the entire Spartan family are with Coach D, his wife Becky and his daughters Kristen and Lauren."
Dantonio certainly isn't the first high-profile coach to experience health problems.
Florida coach Urban Meyer was hospitalized with chest pains in December after his Gators lost the Southeastern Conference championship game to Alabama. A couple weeks later, Meyer resigned citing health concerns, but less than 24 hours later, he took back his resignation.
Meyer was later diagnosed esophageal spams and he is taking medication to fight the problem.
Dantonio went to the hospital soon after making an audacious call that led to one of the biggest wins of his career — and one of the signature moments of the season so far.
He decided to fake a field goal that could've forced a second overtime against the Irish, choosing instead to have holder Aaron Bates throw a pass that turned into a 29-yard touchdown that lifted the Spartans to a 34-31 victory.
The win put Michigan State in this week's Associated Press poll at No. 25.
Comments
Ann English
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 7:32 p.m.
Dwight Lang's heart attack story was in the Milestones' section of the Sunday paper, not Parade magazine. Sounds like Sparrow Hospital has some very good cardiologists. Good to know that Dantonio's heart responded to a stent.
Ann English
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 6:51 p.m.
Does anyone else feel a heart attack overloading of the news stories Saturday and Sunday? First, George N. Parks, the Minutemen's band director, dies of a heart attack en route to Michigan. Second, Sunday's Parade magazine shows a heart attack victim, Dwight Laing, right on the cover, with his first-person story of the ordeal inside the issue. Finally, Coach Dantonio's minor one, just after midnight Sunday morning.
treetowncartel
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 2:28 p.m.
@ Tater, I think you took my comment out of context. Dantonio puts a lot of passion into his work, and as a an article on this very website talks about, other coaches highly involved in their programs have had similar health ailments. It was a great game Saturday night and an even greater call that ended it. At the end of the day all any of us have is our health and I wish coach Dantonio well in the recovery process. Perhaps, I could have left out my comments about the performance of the team I feel passionate about, but I didn't.
tulsatom
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 12:59 p.m.
I meant to say, "May he always live a long and healthy life, and may he prosper on the field except when he is playing against U-M".
tulsatom
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 12:48 p.m.
All the best to Coach Dantonio. He is an extremely intense person, as are most football coaches, and this sometimes contributes to cardiac issues. I wish him a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. May he live long and prosper, except when he's playing U-M.
MjC
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 8:24 a.m.
What a game Coach D! Even we Wolverine Fans respect you and wish you well.
Theresa
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 8:12 a.m.
Wishing Coach a full and speeding recovery and we wish him to return to the sidelines soon
D21
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 7:48 a.m.
Amen Tater, amen.
treetowncartel
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 : 10:06 p.m.
Sounds like he is doing good which is good to hear. Having watched that game, and if my heart were in it as either a ND or MSU fan, it would have certainly been capable of producing a myo-cardial infarction. Whereas, the Michigan game yesterday provoked head trauma, as you threw your fists into your own head watching a I-AA team stsay in contention. I sure hope they don't have Slippery Rock on the schedule next year.
Sean T.
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 : 8:52 p.m.
God Bless, Dantonio and to a speedy recovery. I'm smiling with pride to see my Wolverine brothers showing true integrity and grace with their best wishes. Go Blue and the Green!
Rucker Family
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 : 8:48 p.m.
The Rucker Family of Warren, Ohio wishes Coach Dantonio a speedy recovery. Our prayers are with you and your family. We hope your return to the field to led the Spartans comes quickly. Get well Spartan
michboy40
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 : 8:17 p.m.
I hope he makes a speedy recovery...by the way, one of the guttsiest calls I have ever seen!
stunhsif
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 : 8:12 p.m.
It is good to see "die hard" blue and gold fans say kind things toward coach D and his family. As an MSU greenblood, it is good to see!! I always root for Big Ten teams until Michigan plays MSU.
kenUM
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 : 5:48 p.m.
My thoughts and prayers are with Coach D and his family. Hope to see him back in the captain's seat soon!!
3 And Out
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 : 3:17 p.m.
Best wishes to Coach Dantonio for a speedy recovery.
BillMK
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 : 2:25 p.m.
Everybody should be praying for Coach D and his family. Let's hope that this is as relatively mild an event as the article suggests, and that Coach D is back soon as good as ever. Maybe even better than ever, but after the big game.
azwolverine
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 : 1:58 p.m.
God Bless, Coach Dantonio. I hope to see him on the sidelines coaching his team when they come to the Big House in Oct.
D21
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 : 1:57 p.m.
Our prayers are with you and your family & friends from the Go Blue family!
heartbreakM
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 : 1:05 p.m.
Just tells you how fragile we all are. All of Michigan's wishes are with Dantonio and his family for a full and speedy recovery.
TrueBlueinOH
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 : 12:54 p.m.
Our thoughts and prayers go out for Coach D.
CMSMW
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 : 12:42 p.m.
Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery for Coach Dantonio. I hope to see him on the field on October 9.