Michigan State's Dantonio gets new contract
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio has been rewarded with a new contract that increases his yearly pay from $1.8 million to $1.83 million.
The length of Dantonio's contract remained the same as before -- a five-year roll over deal -- but his base salary increased $32,000 to $650,000 and some of his performance bonuses were restructured.
He will get a $100,000 bonus for winning the Big Ten Championship Game, while a $2 million bonus he was to receive if he remained head coach of the Spartans until 2016 has been bumped up two years to 2014.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dantonio, who was hired in 2006, led Michigan State to a school-record 11 wins last season and a share of the program's first Big Ten championship in 20 years.
The contract restructuring was announced Saturday during an off-week for the team. University president Lou Anna K. Simon said in a statement that the contract "symbolizes the long-term commitment so essential for a successful program."
"I know I speak for the entire Spartan family when I say that we are pleased and proud of the success of the Spartan football program under coach Dantonio," Simon said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The annual compensation components of Dantonio's new contract are: a $650,000 base salary, $869,000 of supplemental income, a $100,000 shoe and apparel agreement, a $200,000 contingent annual base salary and $13,000 in benefits.
Dantonio missed several games last season while recovering from a mild heart attack and a blood clot in his leg. He said in a statement that the new contract signifies a long-term commitment from himself and the university.
"It also lets Spartan Nation know that I deeply appreciate their loyal support and that I'm here for the long haul," he said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The 4-1 Spartans host Michigan next week.