Let’s face it, things are not going well for Michigan State following the Larry Nassar sexual assault hearings that took the nation by storm over the past week or so. University president Lou Anna Simon has resigned as has Spartans athletic director Mark Hollis in wake of Nassar’s hearing and sentencing.
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On Friday a report surfaced from ESPN’s Outside the Lines calling out two of the most prominent figures in Spartans history, Mark Dantonio and Tom Izzo. The report criticized both head coaches on how they handled allegations of sexual assault against players on their team.
Then, came the rumor from Barstool Sports that both Dantonio and Izzo were going to resign from their positions.
On Friday night, Dantonio felt the need to speak to the media to set the record straight.
From Detroit Free Press:
“During this extremely difficult and challenging time for our community, I would first like to express our deepest sympathies and my deepest sympathies to the courageous survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuse. It was absolutely heartbreaking to hear their stories and the pain and suffering they went through, and we are only in the beginning stages of the healing process for the community and even more importantly for the survivors and their families.
“I have received many questions and inquiries about today’s reports and the latest reports. I’m here tonight to say that any accusations of my handling of any complaints of sexual assault individually are completely false. Every incident reported in that article was documented by either police or the Michigan State Title IX office. I have always worked with the proper authorities when dealing with cases of sexual assault.
“We have always had high standards in this program, and that will never change. The values that we teach to everyone in this program will be enforced. We’ve also always tackled problems here head-on and have dealt with issues. When you find out about the problems, it has come from the police or the university authorities. I can assure you as in last year’s incident, I also immediately reported that to the proper authorities.
“That’s really all I have to say. I want to thank you for your time. You know, I’m advised against questions, but I feel completely steadfast in what I said today. I’ll take two questions.”
Dantonio also was asked about the rumor that he was planning to resign.
“That is absolutely false. I am here for Spartan nation, I am here for our football program and for my family. And to look the people in the eye who I guess instigated those reports.”
The Spartans head coach insisted that he handled all sexual assault situations correctly.
“They came straight from the authorities. When I found out about a sexual assault, I reported them immediately. That was as of last year’s. So I don’t want to walk out of here or not, but I can’t answer 150 questions. I want to thank you guys for your time. I thought it was important to come and address this and look people in the eye. Thank you for your time.”
