Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio will be one of the three highest-paid coaches in the Big Ten when details of his new deal are released, athletic director Mark Hollis told the Detroit Free Press before the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.
As far as his new salary, Dantonio will trail only Ohio State’s Urban Meyer and Michigan’s Brady Hoke, according to Hollis’ comments. Both coaches make more than $4 million per season and Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz makes just below that figure.
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Hollis did not comment on an ESPN report that Texas had contacted him about speaking with Dantonio for the vacancy in Austin. But he did tell the Free Press that he wasn’t concerned with his head coach looking around.
“You always hope to have coaches under consideration by other programs — that means you’re achieving success,” Hollis said. (Dantonio) and I talk constantly about where we are as a program and what the future holds. We’re looking forward to where we can take the Spartans next.”
Dantonio didn't completely rule out a move to Austin after the Spartans defeated Stanford.
"That's very flattering, but it would be hard to leave these guys. So while it's very, very flattering, my intentions are to be at Michigan State. That's all I'll say about those things. I'll look forward to seeing my guys back on Monday mornings for classes," Dantonio told reporters.