Michigan State football: 5 potential replacements for Mark Dantonio

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 28: Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio paces the field during warm ups prior to a college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and Indiana Hoosiers on September 28, 2019 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty Images /

3. Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan head coach

Given the lackluster history of Eastern Michigan’s football program, Creighton leading the Eagles to two bowl games in the last three seasons with a track toward making in three out of four with a 3-3 record this season stands as phenomenal.

Creighton is only 25-43, now into his sixth season in Ypsilanti. But he’s got a track record as a winner at lower levels, with a 136-46 mark over 17 combined seasons at Ottawa, Wabash and Drake and eight total conference titles.

Simply put, Michigan State is a step or two below the marquee tier of college head coaching jobs on a national level. Even within the Big Ten, the cache’ of the job isn’t that great, with the prospect of competing in the tougher division in the conference alongside Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan.

So Michigan State may have to accept a harsh reality and lower its target area if they end up looking to replace Dantonio. The coaches who would ultimately take the job may come with past ties to the program, or they’d have to see Michigan State as a clear step up from where they are. Creighton fits nicely into the latter category.

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