The Only Colors, a Michigan State Spartans community

It's good to be back.

As far as game day, how do your responsibilities change, being the acting head coach?

One of the adjustments we've already made and talked through as a staff is I will be on the field. Typically, as a playcaller, I've been in the box. So I'll be down on the field, and then certainly, as issues may potentially arise when it comes to game management, be able to handle those. And also have a bead on the team and be able to closely connect with them as opposed to doing it through a headset. It's not the first time that we've done that where I've been on the field, so it's not like that part is totally new. From that standpoint, we've done it before and it's been effective, so we'll continue to move forward and do what we need to do.

I saw Mark twice yesterday, and I can tell you, if he doesn't recover 105 percent, I would be shocked.

Our integrity will not be questioned as a program. We're going to handle this situation and resolve it.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio took a bunker mentality to his news conference Tuesday.

Dantonio limited media access to two players for the entire week and didn't release a depth chart for the first time all season.

"We need to talk to the people that understand our situation," Dantonio told the media.

We've had good recruiting classes in the last two, but I think this class is assembled a little more to address all the needs at every position. If we can stack another class on that and another one behind that, then we'll get to where we're talking about--consistent play in the upper half of the conference. . . .
I firmly believe that in the next four years, that group of players will see a Big Ten championship. This class, from top to bottom, is made up of very good football players and they have a sense of maturity about them.

But if you're familiar with Mark Dantonio's style, you realize that the 2009 class was likely an aberration to some extent. The approach is heavy on homework (lots of unofficial visits if possible, multiple chances to watch a prospect play, in games and at camp) and low on pressure. That should often result in later commitments than some schools get, along with fewer decommitments.