Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio expects to be at game against Michigan this weekend

Mich St coach expects to travel to Michigan game

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio expects to travel with the team for this weekend’s game at Michigan as he recovers from a mild heart attack and subsequent blood clot in his leg.

“You can’t keep me down Michigan week,” Dantonio said to begin a news conference Tuesday. “It’s good to be back — again.”

Dantonio had a heart attack Sept. 19 and missed two games. He actually planned to come back last weekend for a home game against Wisconsin to coach from a box above the field, but he was hospitalized Thursday because of the blood clot.

He says he’ll probably approach this week the same way as he tries for a second time to return.

“Basically, how I moved when I came up here, I doubt if I can get out of many people’s way, so right now it looks like the press box,” said Dantonio, who stood for a news conference of about 13 minutes. “We’ll make that assessment as me move forward.

“The one thing that I have been able to do is watch a ton of film,” Dantonio said with a chuckle. “I’ve sort of been cooped up.”

Dantonio was released from the hospital Monday.

The 17th-ranked Spartans (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) and 18th-ranked Wolverines (5-0, 1-0) are both unbeaten. Michigan State is trying for its third straight victory in the series.

Offensive coordinator Don Treadwell has led the Spartans in Dantonio’s absence, although coaches indicated the staff had some contact with the head coach during the game Saturday. Michigan State beat Wisconsin 34-24.

“It’s a program. It’s a system in place. It’s business as usual,” Dantonio said. “I can honestly tell you that last weekend was my best moment as a head football coach, as I sat there and watched that football game and saw how it ended — saw how our players played, how we coached.”