Michigan State reveals Mark Dantonio's role, promotes TJ Hollowell

Mark Dantonio’s role on Michigan State’s coaching staff is starting to become clearer. The program announced he will not be an on-field coach and will instead be an advisor to acting head coach Harlon Barnett.

In addition, defensive analyst T.J. Hollowell will now be an on-field assistant coach. He’s in his fourth season on the staff as an analyst after spending two seasons at Coastal Carolina.

Dantonio — the winningest coach in program history — was initially set to be an associate head coach under Barnett and help with the transition as Mel Tucker serves a suspension without pay in light of sexual harassment allegations against him. The timing of the announcement comes less than 24 hours before Michigan State is set to play Washington in East Lansing.

As for how he sees his role, Dantonio told reporters it’s still an evolving conversation.

“I envision my role sort of as an ongoing thing,” Dantonio said, via the Detroit Free Press’ Chris Solari. “I’m four days in. As a coach, terminology and systems in place. It takes so long to get those things. So I’m sort of a consultant, advisor. I’m just going to just immerse myself in football a little bit and if I have something to say, I’ll say it.

“But it’s their show. They’re running it. I’m just here to help in any way I can.”

Mark Dantonio didn’t plan on coaching again after retiring from Michigan State, but ‘things happen’

Dantonio retired after the 2019 season, and he admitted he was certainly enjoying retirement life. But when he got the call from Michigan State athletics director Alan Haller, he made good on a promise he made after stepping away from coaching. Dantonio made it clear after retiring if he could do anything to help, he would.

It’s also safe to say he didn’t necessarily plan on going back in the office.

“No. No, not really, no. I did not,” Dantonio said with a chuckle. “But, things happen.”

Dantonio did end up back on campus earlier this week just one day after Michigan State announced Tucker’s suspension. Although he’s not going to be an on-field coach, he still has to get up to speed on a number of subjects within a program he’s been away from for nearly four years.

That process started this week, and he saw some good things when he arrived.

“I was in the office on Monday. I got in my car and drove over and just trying to sort of indoctrinate myself a little bit into everything that’s going on,” Dantonio said. “But I’ve been very impressed with the thoroughness of our coaches and the game plan and the structure of everything that’s going on.

“Really impressed with what Coach Barnett has done this week, just picking up the pieces a little bit and helping move things forward. Been very, very positive. Great energy from the players. I’ve been impressed with the players and their outlook on things. Gotta step forward.”