With the Michigan State football team on a bye week, athletic director Mark Hollis decided it was time to take care of some business with his head football coach.
↵The school announced a new contract for Mark Dantonio on Saturday, updating the five-year rollover deal that MSU and Dantonio, 55, had previously agreed to. Dantonio will receive a raise in his yearly salary, going from $1.8 to $1.83 million. In addition, a $2 million contingent bonus for longevity will now trigger in 2014, instead of 2016. Performance incentives were also added to the contract, such as a $100,000 bonus for winning the Big Ten championship game.
↵From MSU's official press release:
↵↵↵"This contract signifies a long-term commitment, and I want to thank President Simon, Mark Hollis and the administration for their trust," Dantonio said. "The University has certainly made a commitment to provide all of the necessary tools to continue to build and sustain a championship-caliber program, and I've made a long-term commitment to be the head coach at Michigan State."
↵
Dantonio's new deal essentially sets him up as a "Spartan for life," including an opportunity for him to work in the MSU athletic department for two years after he retires from coaching. The buyout in his contract has also been increased to $3.5 million, according to ESPN.com.
↵The Spartans went 11-2 last season in Dantonio's fourth season as head coach, earning a bid to the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla. Michigan State has a 37-20 record during Dantonio's tenure with four bowl appearances.