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.