MSU 2008 Football Team News

Friday, December 26, 2008
MSU rewards Dantonio with new contract
Eric Lacy / The Detroit News

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Michigan State's Mark Dantonio on Friday received a revised contract that will pay him a $2 million bonus if he remains the school's head football coach through January 2016.

The school announced the deal in a news release, which also stated that Dantonio's contract will remain a five-year roll-over deal with a base salary of $618,000.

With revisions, his supplemental income increases from $500,000 to $869,000 annually.

In addition, Dantonio will receive $100,000 from a shoe/apparel agreement and a $200,000 annual bonus if he remains MSU's coach through June 30 each year.

Dantonio's revised contract increases his annual compensation from $1.13 million to $1.8 million.

After the Spartans' 9-3 regular season and bid to the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day against Georgia, Dantonio earned at least $125,000 in performance-based bonuses.

Friday, December 26, 2008
MSU begins bowl work
Eric Lacy / The Detroit News

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Less than 24 hours after the team's arrival, Michigan State hit the practice field in preparation for its Capital One Bowl game against Georgia on New Year's Day.

The Spartans held the first of up to five practices at Freedom High School, about a 10-minute drive from their hotel.

Practice time is unavailable at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, site of the Capital One Bowl, because it's also site of the Champs Sports Bowl.

During the early periods of a 10:15 a.m. practice Friday, players ran through a series of drills while rap, hip hop and rock music played over a loudspeaker.

Several scout team players, including quarterback Charlie Snow, wore pieces of white tape with the names of Georgia players on their jerseys to designate which players they were trying to mimic.

In Snow's case, coaches designated him Matthew Stafford, the Bulldogs' standout signal caller and top NFL prospect.

MSU coach Mark Dantonio brought 103 players to Florida, and doesn't appear to have any major health or academic issues affecting the status of key players.

You can reach Eric Lacy at eric.lacy@detnews.com.