Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio was hospitalized with heart attack symptoms last night shortly after the Spartans’ extremely dramatic overtime victory over Notre Dame last night
State called a news conference for this afternoon, and the sports information department said Dantonio had a stent put in a blocked blood vessel leading to the heart.
According to the statement, Dr. Chris D’Haem commented
“The procedure was successful and blood flow to the heart muscle was restored. 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.”
Michigan State entered this week’s national college football poll at #25. Dantonio is known, in the public sphere at least, for his extremely mild-mannered (almost Derrick Rose like) public speaking style and for the tremendous job he did in bringing the University of Cincinnati Bearcat football program up a notch.
Current Notre Dame head Coach Brian Kelly, who Dantonio beat last night, took the Bearcat program up another level after D’Antonio left Cincy for East Lansing.
Here’s more on his current health according to the AP release.
The 54-year-old Dantonio is expected to stay at Sparrow Hospital near campus for a few days.
Offensive coordinator Don Treadwell will lead the team during Dantonio’s indefinite absence. The No. 25 Spartans play Northern Colorado on Saturday.
“This is a time for Spartan Nation to rally around Coach D and the football program,” Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis said in a statement. “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.”
Paul M. Banks is President and CEO of The Sports Bank.net , a Midwest focused webzine. He is also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, the Chicago Tribune’s blog network, Walter Football.com, the Washington Times Communities, Yardbarker Network, and Fox Sports.com
You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and @bigtenguru