Spartans hire familiar face to lead team
Mark Dantonio is back with the Michigan State football program.
Dantonio, an assistant with the program from 1995-2000 and the Cincinnati head coach the past three seasons, was hired Monday as the Spartans’ coach.
At his introduction in East Lansing, Mich., he displayed the 2002 championship ring he won as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator.
“I wear this championship ring very, very few times, but I wear it for a reason,” Dantonio said. “I wear it to symbolize what can happen when you have the resources, when you have the players, and most importantly when you have the commitment.”
He succeeds John L. Smith, who was fired before completing his fourth season in East Lansing with a 22-26 record.
Cyclones hire new coach
Texas assistant Gene Chizik was hired as Iowa State’s football coach and will try to revive a team that finished 4-8 this season. Chizik will replace Dan McCarney, who resigned this month after 12 seasons, Cyclones associate athletic director Steve Malchow told the Associated Press.
“We were challenged to get him,” Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard told the Des Moines Register. “We were told we wouldn’t be able to get him by a lot of people. He’s the real deal.”
Coordinator leads Bearcats
Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi was appointed Cincinnati’s interim head coach Monday, a few hours after Mark Dantonio left to accept the head coaching position at Michigan State.
Narduzzi will coach the Bearcats (7-5) in their bowl game, which hasn’t been determined.
Saban dispels rumors
Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban says he has no interest in the Alabama job that became vacant when Mike Shula was fired.
There had been speculation about the Crimson Tide pursuing Saban, a coach at Southeastern Conference rival Louisiana State before joining the Dolphins last year.
Saban said he hasn’t been contacted by Alabama and doesn’t want to be.
Arizona coordinator resigns
Arizona co-offensive coordinator Mike Canales resigned two days after the Wildcats lost to archrival Arizona State. Canales was hired in 2004.
Elsewhere
Utah accepted a bid to play in the Armed Forces Bowl. The Utes (7-5) will represent the Mountain West Conference in the Dec. 23 game at Fort Worth, Texas, against an undetermined opponent from Conference USA. … TCU will play in the first bowl of the season, accepting a bid to represent the Mountain West Conference in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego. The Horned Frogs will play an undetermined at-large team. … Tim Murphy was reappointed as Harvard’s football coach through 2011 after a sixth consecutive seven-win season.