Dantonio open to idea of out-of-state spring practice
GRAND RAPIDS — Mark Dantonio doesn’t like to rule out possibilities, and he stayed true to form on Thursday.
In a brief media session prior to his appearance at the Spartan Winter Tailgate in Grand Rapids, Dantonio was asked for his thoughts on programs holding spring practice outside of the state.Michigan State's football coach didn’t flinch.
“I think it’s creative, there’s no question about that,” Dantonio said. “From our standpoint, we’ve never thought to do that — but we’re thinking about it nowadays.”
Out-of-state practices have become the hot topic in college football these days, with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh announcing his intention to hold a portion of the Wolverines’ spring practice at IMG Academy in Brandenton, Florida, over the university’s spring break.
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As any news attached to Harbaugh tends to do, the move ruffled some feathers, with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey reportedly petitioning the NCAA to ban teams from holding practice during spring break.
“From my perspective we worry about who we are and what we do from there,” Dantonio said. “If we want to go to Florida or someplace else, in Texas or something like that, that would be our option to do that, and I guess that’s allowed right now.”
Dantonio also briefly touched on the status of injured Spartans Vayante Copeland and Dennis Finley. Copland is recovering from a fractured vertebrae in his neck and Finley suffered a broken leg in the Spartans’ win over Purdue last fall.
Dantonio said he expects both players to be close to returning in time to participate in spring ball to some extent, but not full speed.
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He was optimistic both players would be back on the field for the start of the fall, but could not give a definitive answer on Copeland’s recovery.
“With Vayante, I think there are some different things that they’re getting readings on as well,” he said. “But I think Finley for sure.”
With the graduation of Connor Cook, Dantonio also was asked about the quarterback situation heading into spring camp, which he said would be “active, but not live” for his signal callers. Tyler O’Connor and Damion Terry both saw playing time during the season, and redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke and true frosh Messiah DeWeaver also could compete for the spot.
Dantonio indicated O’Connor would have the slight edge when spring practice begins in a few weeks.
“Certainly Tyler’s played very well and he’ll start the process and he’s got great leadership skills,” he said. “Our players have great respect for him, he’s a fifth year senior, but ... he’s gotta make plays.”