Photo and sworn affidavit contradict Mark Dantonio’s claim that Michigan State did not knowingly break NCAA rules
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The evidence against Mark Dantonio continues to build in an ongoing lawsuit against the former Michigan State coach.
Dantonio stunned many when he announced his resignation from Michigan State on the eve of 2020 National Signing Day after 13 seasons with the Spartan program but the timing of his decision made more sense when Tony Paul of the Detroit News reported former MSU assistant Curtis Blackwell had accused the MSU coach of committing multiple NCAA violations in a lawsuit filed the day before Dantonio’s resignation.
Blackwell, who previously served as recruiting coordinator at Michigan State but was not one of Dantonio’s full-time on-the-field staffers, claims he went for an in-home visit with a five-star recruit at Dantonio’s request. Only head coaches and full-time on-the-field staffers are permitted to visit prospect’s homes, something Dantonio went on record indicating he knew and acknowledged would be an NCAA violation if Blackwell did during his time at Michigan State.
In a deposition, Dantonio claims Blackwell never went with him on a recruiting visit.
Dantonio’s lawyers have called Blackwell’s allegations against their client “false, scandalous, and wholly unsupported accusations” when reached for comment by the Detroit News.
They will probably regret those statements now, however, as the Detriot News has obtained a copy of the sworn testimony given by the mother of former five-star recruit Daelin Hayes. She claims Blackwell did visit her home with Dantonio during her son’s recruitment. Hayes eventually signed with Notre Dame.
Adding to Blackwell’s account, the former Michigan State assistant has provided a photo that was taken inside Hayes’ home featuring the recruit with Dantonio and three Spartan assistants — including Blackwell. The coach on Hayes’ right is Mike Tressel, who was recently retained by new Michigan State coach Mel Tucker. (Photo credit: The Detriot News courtesy of Blackwell)
In addition to these allegations, Blackwell claims Dantonio also helped secure jobs for parents of football recruits. Given that he has backed up his claims with some evidence, it will be interesting to see if Blackwell has even more evidence to share against Michigan State and Dantonio down the line.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
