Mark Dantonio

The all-time winningest head coach in Michigan State football history, Mark Dantonio first came to East Lansing as an assistant to Nick Saban and stayed on the Spartan staff from 1995 through the 2000 season. He returned to East Lansing with the top football job in for the 2007 season and ultimately, Dantonio led the Spartans to three Big Ten championships, a Rose Bowl win and a berth in the 2015 College Football Playoff. He is one of seven Big Ten coaches to have at least six 10-win seasons and one of four Big Ten coaches to have at least five 11-win seasons.  

Between 2010 and 2015, Dantonio’s teams went 65-16, ranked in the final Top 10 polls in each of the last three seasons of that stretch. He retired with 114 wins and a .667 winning percentage. He coached 12 All-Americans, including ten first teamers, and 33 players who were selected in the National Football League Draft. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024.