Mark Dantonio Hometown: Zanesville, Ohio Position: Head Coach Experience: First Year

Mark Dantonio, who coached Cincinnati the past three seasons and was a former assistant coach at Michigan State for six years, became Michigan State University's 24th head football coach on Nov. 27, 2006.

The 51-year old Dantonio established himself as one of the nation's up-and-coming coaches during his three-year tenure at Cincinnati. In 2006, Dantonio led the Bearcats to a 7-5 overall record and a 4-3 BIG EAST mark, making Cincinnati bowl eligible for the second time in three years. Dantonio accomplished the feat against the second-toughest schedule in the country, as UC's opponents compiled a 69-42 record. His Bearcats upset then-No. 7 Rutgers, 30-11, on Nov. 18, handing the Scarlet Knights their first loss of the season and marking the highest-ranked opponent ever defeated by UC.

Highly respected as one of the top defensive coaches in the country, Dantonio's Bearcats finished the 2006 regular season ranked among the NCAA leaders in six statistical categories: No. 21 in tackles for loss (6.8 per game), No. 23 in pass efficiency defense (109.3 rating), No. 27 in rushing defense (107.5 yards per game), No. 31 in total defense (304.3 ypg.), No. 34 in scoring defense (19.3 points per game) and No. 34 in sacks (2.4 per game).

Dantonio compiled an 18-17 overall record in his three years at Cincinnati and led the program in its transition to the BIG EAST Conference. He became the first head coach in 23 years to direct a team to a winning season in his first year at UC. The Bearcats' went 7-5 in 2004, including a 5-3 mark in Conference USA to finish second in the league standings, and defeated Marshall in the Fort Worth Bowl.

In his three seasons at Cincinnati, 21 of Dantonio's players earned All-BIG EAST honors and 40 received academic all-conference recognition. Each of the last two years (2006-07), Cincinnati's program has been presented the American Football Coaches Association Academic Achievement Award for attaining a graduation rate of at least 70 percent for its student-athletes.

Prior to his appointment at Cincinnati, Dantonio served as the defensive coordinator at Ohio State for three seasons, where his defensive unit became known as one of the stingiest in the country. During the Buckeyes' 2002 National Championship season, OSU ranked second nationally in scoring defense and third in rushing defense, and the following year, his unit ranked No. 1 in the country in rushing defense and ninth in total defense, sparking the Buckeyes to an 11-2 mark and a No. 4 national ranking.

Dantonio is familiar with East Lansing, as he spent six seasons (1995-2000) as Michigan State's secondary coach, including associate head coach duties in 2000. He contributed to Michigan State's successful 1999 season, during which the Spartans went 10-2, won the Florida Citrus Bowl, led the Big Ten in total defense and ranked No. 7 in the final polls.

A Zanesville, Ohio, native with Midwest ties, Dantonio has 24 years of collegiate coaching experience, and has coached in 10 bowl games. He has worked for some of the top coaches in the game, including Nick Saban, Jim Tressel and Earle Bruce.

Here's a closer look at Dantonio's tenure at Cincinnati:

• The 2006 Cincinnati Bearcats went 7-5 overall and 4-3 in the BIG EAST Conference against the nation's second-toughest schedule. Four of UC's five losses came to ranked teams (Ohio State, Louisville, Virginia Tech and West Virginia). The Bearcats produced arguably the greatest victory in school history with a 30-11 victory over then-No. 7 Rutgers on Nov. 18, marking the highest-ranked opponent ever defeated by UC.

Last season, Cincinnati finished the regular season ranked fourth in the BIG EAST and No. 27 nationally in rushing defense, allowing 107.5 yards per game. UC held seven of its 12 regular-season opponents to less than 100 yards rushing, highlighted by performances of 36 yards each in back-to-back games against Miami-Ohio and Akron. In the win over Rutgers, Cincinnati held the nation's No. 15 rushing offense to a season-low 50 yards on the ground, and limited the NCAA's No. 3 rusher, Ray Rice, to a season-low 54 yards. Defensive end Trevor Anderson ranked among the BIG EAST leaders in tackles for loss (No. 5 at 1.13 per game) and sacks (No. 6 at 0.5 per game).

Six Bearcats earned All-BIG EAST honors, including three first-team selections: defensive tackle Terrill Byrd, linebacker Kevin McCullough and free safety Dominic Ross. Three UC players received second-team all-conference honors, including offensive guard Trevor Canfield, tight end Brent Celek and cornerback Mike Mickens.

• In 2005, Dantonio brought together one of the nation's youngest teams, with the Bearcats starting as many as five first-year freshman on defense and posted a competitive 4-7 record in the program's first season in the BIG EAST.

• Dantonio became only the second head coach in Cincinnati history (along with Sid Gillman) to take the Bearcats to a bowl game in his first season in 2004. UC topped Marshall, 32-14, in the Fort Worth Bowl to cap a 7-5 season. The Bearcats tied for second in the Conference USA standings with a 5-3 league mark. Cincinnati led C-USA and ranked No. 26 in the NCAA in pass defense, allowing 194.2 yards per game. The Bearcats also ranked second in C-USA in total defense (341.3 ypg.) and third in both scoring defense (26.7 ppg.) and pass efficiency defense (121.5). Offensively, quarterback Gino Guidugli ranked 15th in the country in passing efficiency (146.5) and directed the Bearcats to the 30th-ranked offense in the nation (405.6 ypg). Three players were chosen in the 2005 NFL Draft (defensive end Trent Cole, linebacker Tyjuan Hagler and cornerback Daven Holly).

While serving as the defensive coordinator at Ohio State, Dantonio's defense guided the Buckeyes to a 32-6 mark in his three seasons in Columbus. Ohio State's defense was the second toughest against the run in 2003, allowing 62.3 yards per game, and was ranked No. 10 in total defense (296.9 ypg.) and No. 16 in scoring defense (17.6 ppg.). Those efforts helped the Buckeyes rank No. 4 in the final polls. Dantonio assembled the defense which led Ohio State to the national title in 2002. The Buckeyes were second nationally in scoring defense (13.1 ppg.) and third in rushing defense (77.7 ypg.) during their title run. Six Buckeyes defenders were named first-team All-Big Ten during Dantonio's tenure and 13 were drafted by the pros, including a pair of first-round selections in 2004 (defensive end Will Smith and cornerback Chris Gamble).

Dantonio spent six seasons (1995-2000) as secondary coach at Michigan State, five under Nick Saban and one under Bobby Williams. He was promoted to associate head coach in 2000. During MSU's 10-2 season in 1999, he tutored cornerback Amp Campbell, who earned third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press. Under his supervision, the Spartan secondary ranked among the NCAA leaders in pass efficiency defense three of his last four years, finishing No. 10 (101.6) in 1998, No. 16 (103.9) in 1997 and No. 22 (104.5) in 2000. In his last season as secondary coach at MSU, the Spartans only allowed 164.1 yards a game through the air, ranking seventh in the country. During his six years in East Lansing, MSU compiled a 39-30-1 record.

Dantonio came to Michigan State following four seasons under Glen Mason at Kansas (1991-94) where he coached the defensive secondary. In 1992, the Jayhawks produced an 8-4 record and defeated BYU, 23-20, in the Aloha Bowl.

Dantonio previously spent five years at Youngstown State under Jim Tressel, helping the Penguins to three trips to the NCAA I-AA playoffs. While serving as defensive coordinator in 1990, Youngstown State posted a perfect 11-0 regular-season record and ranked second nationally.

His coaching credits also including stops at Akron (defensive secondary, 1985), Ohio State (graduate assistant, 1983-84), Butler (Kan.) Junior College (defensive coordinator, 1982), Purdue (graduate assistant, 1981) and Ohio University (graduate assistant, 1980). During his stint as a graduate assistant under Earle Bruce at Ohio State, the Buckeyes played in the 1983 Fiesta and 1984 Rose Bowls.

Dantonio began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Westside High School in Anderson, S.C.

Dantonio earned three letters as a defensive back for Coach Jim Carlen at South Carolina (1976-78). He earned a bachelor's degree in education from South Carolina in 1979. Dantonio later earned a master's degree in education from Ohio U. in 1980.

He picked up all-state and all-league honors as a prep football player at Zanesville (Ohio) High School. Dantonio also was selected to play in the Ohio North-South All-Star Game.

Born March 9, 1956, in El Paso, Texas, Mark and his wife Becky have two daughters, Kristen (14) and Lauren (12).

THE DANTONIO FILE

PERSONAL DATA:
Born Mark Dantonio in El Paso, Texas, on March 9, 1956. Family: wife Becky and two daughters, Kristen (13) and Lauren (11).

PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE: College - Graduate assistant at Ohio U. (1980); graduate assistant at Purdue (1981); defensive coordinator at Butler (Kan.) Junior College (1982); graduate assistant at Ohio State (1983-84); defensive secondary coach at Akron (1985); defensive secondary coach and defensive coordinator at Youngstown State (1986-90); defensive secondary coach at Kansas (1991-94); defensive secondary coach (1995-2000) and associate head coach (2000) at Michigan State; defensive coordinator at Ohio State (2001-03); head coach at Cincinnati (2004-06).

COACHING RECORD:
18-17 (.514) in three years as a college head coach at Cincinnati (2004-06).

EDUCATION:
Bachelor's degree in education from South Carolina in 1979; master's degree in education from Ohio U. in 1980.

PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
College - Three-year letterman as a defensive back at South Carolina (1976-78).

BOWL/POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:
Coach - 1987 NCAA I-AA playoffs, 1989 NCAA I-AA playoffs, 1990 NCAA I-AA playoffs, 1983 Fiesta Bowl, 1984 Rose Bowl, 1992 Aloha Bowl, 1995 Independence Bowl, 1996 Sun Bowl, 1997 Aloha Bowl, 2000 Florida Citrus Bowl, 2002 Outback Bowl, 2003 Fiesta Bowl, 2004 Fiesta Bowl, 2004 Fort Worth Bowl.

Dantonio's Career Record (Head Coach and Assistant Coach) in PDF Format
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Dantonio's Career Record - Head Coach

			Overall			Conference
Year	School		W	L	Pct.	W	L	Pct.	Finish	Bowl/Postseason
2004	Cincinnati	7	5	.583	5	3	.625	T-2nd	Fort Worth Bowl
2005	Cincinnati	4	7	.364	2	5	.286	T-6th 	-
2006	Cincinnati	7	5	.583	4	3	.571	TBD
Totals			18	17	.514	11	11	.500

Dantonio's Career Record - Assistant Coach

Year	School (Record, Postseason/Bowl)
1985	Akron (8-4, I-AA Playoffs First Round)
1986	Youngstown State (2-9)
1987	Youngstown State (8-4, I-AA Playoffs First Round)
1988	Youngstown State (4-7)
1989	Youngstown State (9-4, I-AA Playoffs Second Round)
1990	Youngstown State (11-1, I-AA Playoffs First Round)
1991	Kansas (6-5)
1992	Kansas (8-4, Aloha Bowl)
1993	Kansas (5-7)
1994	Kansas (6-5)
1995	Michigan State (6-5-1, Independence Bowl)
1996	Michigan State (6-6, Sun Bowl)
1997	Michigan State (7-5, Aloha Bowl)
1998	Michigan State (6-6)
1999	Michigan State (10-2, Florida Citrus Bowl)
2000	Michigan State (5-6)
2001	Ohio State (7-5, Outback Bowl)
2002	Ohio State (14-0, Fiesta Bowl)
2003	Ohio State (11-2, Fiesta Bowl)
Totals  139-87-1, 8 Bowl Games, 4 NCAA I-AA Playoff Appearances

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT Mark Dantonio

Miami Dolphins Head Coach Nick Saban:
"First, Mark Dantonio is a great family man. Second, he brings honesty and integrity to the Spartan football program - something Michigan State expects and deserves. In addition, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the head coaching position.

"He's familiar with Michigan State, having spent six years there as an assistant coach. He's familiar with the Big Ten, having coached at Michigan State and Ohio State. More importantly, Mark has been involved with winning football programs, including being a part of a National Championship at Ohio State. He's also had an opportunity to run his own program at Cincinnati and his teams had a reasonable amount of success.

"While serving as an assistant at Michigan State, Mark was one of the top recruiters on the coaching staff. He knows the MSU academic and campus community. He also has ties to Ohio and other parts of the Midwest, which is so important in recruiting.

"Mark really has the right blend for Michigan State. This is a great opportunity for Michigan State, and I hope everyone gets behind Mark and pulls together."

"Mark will build a great program and will do a great job. We are looking forward to competing against him, but the neighborhood just got tougher." -Ohio State Head Football Coach Jim Tressel

Michigan State Men's Basketball Coach Tom Izzo:
"Mark Dantonio is the right coach for Michigan State University. He's a guy that's dying to be here. And just as important, he understands Michigan State and knows that we are dying to experience great success in football.

"Being a football coach is a multi-dimensional job. Like any major hire, you can't get the best in just one dimension. They've done a great job getting the best coach that can handle all the different aspects that you have to handle as football coach."

Ohio State Head Football Coach Jim Tressel:
"I am so proud to have Mark Dantonio back in the Big Ten. It's a little bit like when one of your players receives his degree or is a first-round draft choice. You just feel good about what they have accomplished. Mark will build a great program and will do a great job. We are looking forward to competing against him, but the neighborhood just got tougher."

Michigan State linebacker Kaleb Thornhill:
"Mark Dantonio is a good get for Michigan State. He has a proven track record with winning programs as an assistant coach, and he's already done some good things as a head coach. I've watched his Cincinnati teams play several times on television and his players always compete. The entire team is excited about the hire.

"I was thrilled to be consulted by the Athletics Department administration during the search process. It showed that the administration truly cares about the returning players, especially the seniors-to-be. It was great to have input in the search process because I know that rarely happens."

ESPN Color Analyst and Former Ohio State All-American Chris Spielman:
"Mark Dantonio is the right man, for the right job at the right time. I predicted Mark's hire as soon as the position became available. When you look at the situation, this is a perfect hire. Mark has Michigan State bloodlines, so he's emotionally invested in the football program. Mark is a no-nonsense coach that demands attention to detail. I'm also convinced that his teams will play harder than any past Spartan football teams.

"Mark isn't the right guy if you're looking to hire a talk-show host, but he is the right guy if you're looking for a winning football coach."

Former MSU football player Bill Burke:
"I think Mark coming back is extremely important to former players. He alluded to the fact that he wants to be here, him and his family. He's a former Spartan, and he feels like he's coming home and we as former Spartans are excited to have him back. I think he's a tough disciplinarian as much off the field as he is on the field. He cares about you as a player, and I think he's going to bring back certain philosophies that Michigan State needs to have in place in order to produce wins on the field. His expectations are high, which they should be, and it's exciting as a former player to know that we have a guy here who wants to compete for championships. Mark is a very detail oriented guy, so you know as a player that you're going to be held accountable for everything on the field and off the field, and I think that is where the pursuit of championships starts."