Mark Dantonio Returns To Sideline

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio returned to the sideline for the first time in a month when his team took the field against Northwestern on Saturday.

Dantonio suffered a heart attack after Michigan State’s thrilling 34-31 win over Notre Dame on Sept. 18 and missed the Spartans’ next two games. Dantonio coached from the press box against Michigan and Illinois the last two weeks.

Mark Dantonio Not Sure Where He Will Coach Northwestern Game From

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said earlier this week that he would coach from the sidelines on Saturday for the Spartans' game against Northwestern if he is cleared by doctors. Although the game is nearing and the Spartans are leaving for Evanston tomorrow, Dantonio is still not sure if he will be on the sideline or up in the press box for the third consecutive week, according to one of his assistants.

MSU LB coach Mike Tressel said Mark Dantonio told the coaches he hasn't decided whether he will be on the field or in the box Saturday.

Regardless of where Dantonio has been, the Spartans have just kept on winning. They went 3-0 with him on the sideline, 1-0 with him at home, 1-0 with him in the hospital and now 2-0 with him in the press box. Basically, Dantonio could coach from just about anywhere and I don't think the mindset of the team would be affected too much this season. They are very focused and prepared for anything, which is why they have yet to lose this season.

Mark Dantonio Not Expecting To Return To Sideline Just Yet

Although Mark Dantonio is making great progress after suffering a heart attack last month, he is not planning on returning to the sideline just yet. If not for the blood clot in his leg that kept him from being at the Wisconsin game, he probably would be back on the sideline by now, but for at least one more game, he is planning on coaching from the press box.

"I think before I go down on the sideline I have to be able to walk a whole practice and be involved in the practice," Dantonio said. "I can do that in 15- or 20-minute intervals, but I don’t want to set ourselves back. So we’ll see. We’re getting better and stronger every day. It’s basically my leg."

Against Michigan, Dantonio was on the field before the game and in the press box during it. He did go to the locker room during halftime and after the game, which is likely the same plan he will follow for Saturday's game at home against Illinois.

Mark Dantonio Expected To Coach Michigan Game From Press Box

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio was expecting to coach from the press box last week against Wisconsin, but a blood clot derailed those plans and left him stuck in the hospital for the game. He still managed to share his thoughts with coaches by text messaging with the ones in the press box, but he would have much rather been in Spartan Stadium.

This week, Dantonio is likely going to follow a similar plan for the Michigan game. He is expecting to be in the press box at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, assuming there are no more setbacks.

"How I moved coming up here, I doubt I can get out of many people's way," Dantonio said during his weekly news conference at Spartan Stadium. "Right now, it looks like the press box, but we'll make that assessment as we move forward. But right now, I would say press box." 

Dantonio stressed that his long-term future is important, so he won't do anything that sets him back. Even so, he also added that he can't be kept down for Michigan week, which isn't too surprising to hear. The Michigan game is on another level for Dantonio, so it would take a lot to keep him from being at the game on Saturday.

Mark Dantonio Released From Hospital

After spending some time in the hospital again over the weekend, Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio was released at noon today. From MSU football's Twitter page:

Mark Dantonio, who was admitted to Sparrow Hospital on Sept. 30 with a blood clot in his leg, was discharged Monday at 12 p.m.

There's no word just yet on when Dantonio will return to the team to act as the head coach.

Even so, you have to imagine that he will make his return this week if he is cleared medically, because the Michigan game is on a different level than any other game for Dantonio. I'd be surprised if he isn't at Michigan Stadium next Saturday, although I suppose it'll come down to whether or not the doctors clear him.

Blood Clot In Leg Will Prevent Mark Dantonio From Coaching Today's MSU Game From Press Box

It was originally believed that Mark Dantonio would be coaching today’s game from the booth, but there has been a change of plans: 

Mark Dantonio won’t be in Spartan Stadium after all. Blood clot found in leg Thursday. MSU says it’s not alarmed, but he’ll be at home.

Dantonio was actually admitted to Sparrow Hospital on Thursday after a routine check-up revealed the blood clot. Blood clots are not uncommon after a cardiac catheterization procedure and, according to FoxSportsDetroit.com, his “prognosis is excellent.” 

Dantonio is still at Sparrow Hospital and his release date has not been determined. 

Mark Dantonio To Return Saturday, Coach MSU From Press Box

Michigan State will have its head coach back Saturday for its Big Ten opener versus Wisconsin. Mark Dantonio announced at his Tuesday press conference that he has returned to work this week.

It doesn’t appear, however, that Dantonio will resume full head coaching duties for the Spartans. He will be at practice this week to help with preparations for the Badgers, but will work from the coaches box during the game on Saturday. Dantonio told the media that returning to his full workload will be a gradual process.

From the Detroit Free Press:

"I’m going to ease back into this much like anybody would after an injury," Dantonio said. "We don’t discuss injuries, so why discuss mine? It’s a personnel issue as far as when I come back and when I’m full go. I’m gonna listen to our doctors, ease back into this and do something daily with our football team."

As might be expected, Dantonio tried to discuss MSU’s game with Wisconsin more than his condition. But his presence meant questions about his recovery would be addressed. But Dantonio acknowledged that his heart attack forced him to assess how he goes about his work.

“Hopefully when you go through something like this you become a little bit wiser, become a little bit more compassionate toward people or whatever. But I can’t answer that question right now. It’s difficult to answer and I’m probably not the one to answer that question, it’s the people around me that can answer that question better.”

Mark Dantonio Released From Hospital

Two days after suffering a mild heart attack, following Michigan State's big overtime win against Notre Dame, Mark Dantonio was released from the hospital Tuesday afternoon.

"I'm anxious and excited to be home with my family," Dantonio said in a statement released Tuesday night. "I haven't established a timeline for my return, but I have the utmost confidence in Coach Treadwell and the rest of the coaching staff to carry on with business as usual in my absence. I know that I must gradually work my way back onto the sidelines."

Katrina Hancock of Local 4 News said Dantonio will watch this upcoming Saturday's game against Northern Colorado from home. She went on to say that sources told her he would be up in the box for the Wisconsin game in two weeks. You have to believe he'll be back on the sidelines for the Michigan game, but there's no telling right now.

We'll keep you posted, though, as we hear developments on his health.

Rich Rodriguez, Brian Kelly Release Statements Wishing Mark Dantonio Well

Although both Rich Rodriguez and Brian Kelly coach for rival schools of Michigan State, they are members of the college football coaching fraternity just like Mark Dantonio. While all three coaches clash when they are on opposite sidelines, they are friendly in real life, which is why both Rodriguez and Kelly released statements on the news that Dantonio suffered a heart attack, wishing the MSU head coach well as he recovers.

Rich Rodriguez:

"The Michigan football program sends our thoughts and prayers to Coach Dantonio and his family. We hope for a full and speedy recovery."

Brian Kelly:

"On behalf of the Notre Dame family we are in thoughts and prayers for Coach Dantonio and wish him a speedy recovery. Look forward to seeing him back on the sidelines," Kelly said. "We didn't get in until about quarter of four this morning. I went home right away. When I came back in the office Brian Hardin, our sports information director, gave me the news."

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald and Penn State's Jay Paterno also wished Dantonio well and expressed their hope for a speedy recovery.

Michigan State AD Hollis: Dantonio Won't Coach Northern Colorado Game

Mark Dantonio will not coach Michigan State for their next game versus Northern Colorado. MSU athletic director Mark Hollis made that announcement during a press conference Sunday afternoon.

“His return to football activities will be determined later. He will not be on the sidelines for the Northern Colorado game. But he is our head coach and will remain our head coach throughout this whole process.”

Offensive coordinator Don Treadwell will take over head coaching duties while Dantonio is recovering from his heart attack. Naturally, he was asked how he’d handle those responsibilities, given his lack of head coaching experience. His response?

“One thing Coach Dantonio has taught us as a staff member is that when a lot of things are going on, etc., the best medicine is to focus on what you can control, and to take a deep breath and just kind of take it one step at a time.

“One of the neat things about our staff is that we have been with Coach Dantonio the full four years here, three years previous. So the system is in place of what he wants and how he has done it. We’re very knowledgeable of that. Those things will continue to be up and running.”

You can watch the complete press conference at WLNS.com.

Michigan State Confirms Mark Dantonio Suffered Heart Attack

A press release from Michigan State was just made public and it confirmed that Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio was hospitalized following a heart attack last night.

Shortly after Michigan State's 34-31 overtime victory over Notre Dame, Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio was admitted to the Sparrow Hospital Emergency Room early Sunday morning, with symptoms consistent with a heart attack.

Dr. Chris D'Haem, DO, an interventional cardiologist with Thoracic and Cardiovascular Institute (TCI) and Sparrow, performed a cardiac catheterization procedure on Dantonio. This "relatively common" procedure used a small, metallic stent to open a blocked blood vessel leading to the heart.

"The procedure was successful and blood flow to the heart muscle was restored," Dr. D'Haem said. "I'm very pleased with the outcome of the procedure. Coach Dantonio is resting comfortably following his procedure and is expected to make a full recovery.

"He is young, in excellent shape, and the damage to his heart was minimal. Coach Dantonio made the right decision to come in and get checked out immediately."

According to the release, Dantonio is going to stay at Sparrow Hospital "for a few days for monitoring." It's unknown when he will return to MSU to handle head coaching duties, so in the meantime offensive coordinator Don Treadwell is going to handle the head coach's responsibilities.

"Mark Dantonio is our head coach," MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis said. "Throughout his recovery process, offensive coordinator Don Treadwell will assume the day-to-day responsibilities of the head coach. This is a time for Spartan Nation to rally around Coach D and the football program. 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."

My thoughts and prayers go out to Mark Dantonio and his family.

Report: Dantonio Felt Ill After Taping Coaches Show

Greg Dooley of MVictors.com reports via Twitter that sources in East Lansing told him Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio felt ill after taping his coaches show on Saturday night and was taken to the hospital.

The source also indicated that Dantonio may have had a stent inserted or a similar sort of procedure performed.

Obviously, we’ll know far more about what actually happened once MSU holds its press conference at 1 p.m. ET.

Report: Michigan State Coach Mark Dantonio Suffers Heart Attack

Reports out of East Lansing indicate that Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio was hospitalized last night for an apparent heart-related issue. Rumors are currently circulating that Dantonio suffered a heart attack.

Jennifer Hammond of Detroit's FOX 2 reported the development on Twitter late Sunday morning. According to her sources, Dantonio appears to be okay. MSU has scheduled a 1 p.m. ET press conference in East Lansing to address the story. 

SB Nation Detroit will have updates on the story as it develops. Please also click over to The Only Colors for the latest on Mark Dantonio.