Michigan State Mark Dantonio Steps Down As Football Head Coach

EAST LANSING, MI — Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio announced Tuesday afternoon that he is stepping down from the position.

The news ends a 13-year tenure in which Dantonio became the most successful coach in Spartans football history, winning 114 games and leading the program to three Big Ten championships.

"I feel that it is now time for change as we enter in a new decade of Michigan State football," Dantonio said in a statement. "I have told our players on many occasions that 'Michigan State is bigger than any one person. Someday there will be someone else here talking to you.' That day has come."

"It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve as the head football coach at Michigan State Univeristy. I will forever be a Spartan."

Michigan State went to a bowl game in 12 of Dantonio's 13 seasons in East Lansing. Since Dantonio took over in 2007, he had six 10-win seasons and six bowl wins. After a 44-10 loss to Michigan in November, Dantonio told reporters that he intended to stay head coach of the Spartans in 2020.

Michigan State athletic director Bill Beekman said the following in a statement released by the university on Tuesday: "Mark Dantonio has provided outstanding leadership for the Spartan football program for the last 13 years. As the all-time winningest coach in school history, he's raised the bar for Michigan State football."

Michigan State defensive coordinator Mike Tressel has been named the team's acting coach as the school searches for a permanent replacement.