Ex-Spartan William Gholston remains supportive of Dantonio, football program

Will Gholston stands behind his alma mater.

The former Michigan State football standout expressed unwavering support for the Spartans and coach Mark Dantonio, despite the program's disappointing 2016 finish and allegations of sexual misconduct against former players.

"When your alma mater is going through a tough time, it's hard to digest," said Gholston, who held his third annual youth football camp today at Detroit Mumford High School.

"I don't have any negative feelings. I don't have any worries," he said. "The quality of men that Coach Dantonio has on his coaching staff, the way they mentor guys, it's a quality program."

Gholston, who played at Detroit Southeastern, said it's unfair to blame Dantonio for the program's ongoing sexual assault investigation.

"Everybody makes mistakes. That's life," Gholston said. "These guys just came out of high school. I don't know the depth of what's going on, since I have to focus on my job, but I don't get disappointed. I'm going to be a Spartan every day for the rest of my life. That's my school. I got their back 100%."

Gholston, who left MSU after his junior season in 2012 and was a fourth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has no regrets about becoming a Spartan after an impressive high school career.

"I developed more as a man than a player at Michigan State," he said. "The way Coach Dantonio ran the program, still runs the program, really helped mold me into a man with morals and values. I came in as a very naive, immature young man. I don't even know how to return it to him. I still feel like a little kid every time I go up there. That's the love they show."

Gholston enjoys visiting Detroit, especially when it involves helping the city's youth. He was joined at today's camp by several current and former NFL players, including ex-Spartan defensive lineman Lawrence Thomas, now with the New York Jets.

Thomas, like Gholston, still believes MSU is a top national program, despite last year's 3-9 overall record.

"My senior year (in 2015), we graduated like 23, 24 seniors, so it's all about rebuilding and regrouping," said Thomas, a former Detroit Renaissance standout. "They're going through that stage right now. They're young. They're going to find themselves. You don't know what Coach D and his staff got up their sleeve, but they're going to come out ready for war next season."

Thomas also stands behind his former college coach.

"Coach D is going to find ways to work it out," he said. "I haven't been up there, so I don't know what the attitude is, but I'm pretty sure it's good."

Gholston's mother, Dawn Ward, also attended Saturday's camp and gave credit to Dantonio for helping develop her son.

"He's such a good man, runs a good program," Ward said of Dantonio. "He runs a tight ship up there and knows how to reign his boys in. Everybody is going to make mistakes now and again, but Coach Dantonio was always good to our family."

Gholston signed a five-year, $37-million contract extension with the Bucs in March. The 25-year-old had 49 tackles and three sacks in 2016. He missed two games last season with a dislocated elbow, but has made 36 career starts in four seasons with Tampa Bay.

"It was an easy decision once I figured out they really wanted me there," Gholston said. "I don't feel like I've arrived, in any way, shape or form. There's so much stuff I want to do when it comes to the game. I've dedicated my life to football and want to have a lasting impression with my legacy. I don't want to just be somebody who played."