Michigan State coach discusses father's death

Posted: 08.30.2011 at 11:11 PM

      EAST LANSING, Mich. - Two days after his father's death,
Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is looking forward to coaching
his team in its season opener later this week.
      Dantonio's father, Justin, died at age 86 on Sunday. The coach
had left the team recently to be with family in Zanesville, Ohio,
but he was back for his weekly news conference Tuesday. Dantonio
says he was "blessed" to be with his father during the final days
of his life, and his father would want him to "press forward"
now.
      After returning to Ohio for funeral services this week, Dantonio
is expected to coach the 17th-ranked Spartans when they open the
season against Youngstown State on Friday night.