Michigan State Coach Mark Dantonio Praises WMU’s Fleck
By Brandon F
KALAMAZOO – Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio knows just how bad P.J. Fleck wants to win at Western Michigan.
Nov 24, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio yells to his defense during the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Michigan State won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dantonio met Fleck this past summer and saw how fired up the cleat-wearing, first-year coach is about winning on the football field.
“I’ve been impressed by his enthusiasm,” Dantonio said Tuesday. “He’s a very good coach. He comes with the reputation as an excellent coach, and I think he’s hired a great staff.”
Those are strong words from the former Big Ten Coach of the Year (2010). Dantonio has built programs at Cincinnati and MSU and is regarded as one of the best defensive minds in the Midwest.
Although Dantonio has only coached two seasons in the Mid-American Conference, he shares a lot in common with Fleck. When WMU visits Spartan Stadium at 8 p.m. Friday, it will pit two coaches against each other who made names for themselves under former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel.
The game is sure to be one-sided in favor of the Spartans, but it will definitely be a learning experience for Fleck and the Broncos.
“We’re looking forward to playing them Friday night,” Dantonio said. “He’s 0-0, so there’s not a lot of history there in terms of what they do as a program right now.”
The feeling is mutual, as Fleck showed his excitement Monday about playing against three Big Ten opponents this season.
“I absolutely love playing the Big Ten schedule,” Fleck said. “It’s great for our kids. It’s great for our program. It’s great to see where you’re at.
“I love the Big Ten, and I love type of atmosphere our kids get to play in.”
WMU also visits Northwestern on Sept. 14 and Iowa on Sept. 21.
BRIEFLY: The MLive Media Group released its Michigan High School Football Player of the Year preseason watch list Tuesday. Two Western Michigan commits in the 2014 class made the list of 25 players: Quarterback Chance Stewart (Sturgis, Mich./Sturgis High School) and lineman Nick Mattich (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston High School).