MSU Athletic Director Bill Beekman indicated that the Michigan State athletic department knew Mark Dantonio's retirement was possible for several weeks, increasingly in the last few days.
This gave Beekman and Michigan State a chance to put a transitionary plan in progress.
Beekman said the people who oversaw the last hiring were successful and they would be tapped again. He said Tom Izzo was a part of the last search committee, but because Izzo is in mid-season, it will be hard for him to have as much of a role.
Beekman said Alan Haller, who is a trusted mover behind the scenes, will once again be part of the process. Haller, Izzo and Mark Hollis were the ones who flew to interview Mark Dantonio in 2006.
I saw Haller at the football building today. And he was a key person in the hallway before and after Dantonio's retirement press conference here at Breslin Center moments ago.
After Beekman's press conference, I asked if Dantonio will be part of the search committee. He said: "Mark Dantonio would be what I would describe as an informal advisor to me on the process. It will go quickly and we don't technically have a search firm or a search committee. We have a number of people that are working on it and Mark will be an advisor to that process."
I asked, are you happy that he will be carrying on what he has called over the years a stewardship of the program?
Beekman said: "Yes, absolutely. And I think it really goes beyond the football program. I think Mark is passionate about the student-athletes and I think that keeps him young, keeps him excited, and I'm excited that he is willing to do that."
This gave Beekman and Michigan State a chance to put a transitionary plan in progress.
Beekman said the people who oversaw the last hiring were successful and they would be tapped again. He said Tom Izzo was a part of the last search committee, but because Izzo is in mid-season, it will be hard for him to have as much of a role.
Beekman said Alan Haller, who is a trusted mover behind the scenes, will once again be part of the process. Haller, Izzo and Mark Hollis were the ones who flew to interview Mark Dantonio in 2006.
I saw Haller at the football building today. And he was a key person in the hallway before and after Dantonio's retirement press conference here at Breslin Center moments ago.
After Beekman's press conference, I asked if Dantonio will be part of the search committee. He said: "Mark Dantonio would be what I would describe as an informal advisor to me on the process. It will go quickly and we don't technically have a search firm or a search committee. We have a number of people that are working on it and Mark will be an advisor to that process."
I asked, are you happy that he will be carrying on what he has called over the years a stewardship of the program?
Beekman said: "Yes, absolutely. And I think it really goes beyond the football program. I think Mark is passionate about the student-athletes and I think that keeps him young, keeps him excited, and I'm excited that he is willing to do that."
