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Dantonio suffers heart attack, but is OK

September 19, 2010

Mark Dantonio

Football head coach Mark Dantonio had symptoms of a heart attack around 12:30 a.m., Sunday morning, shortly after his team pulled out a 34-31 victory over Notre Dame on a fake field goal touchdown pass in overtime.

He will remain at Sparrow Hospital for a few days and is expected to make a full recovery.

Dantonio was admitted to the Sparrow Hospital Emergency Room early Sunday morning.

Dr. Chris D’Haem, an interventional cardiologist with Thoracic and Cardiovascular Institute and Sparrow, performed a cardiac catheterization procedure on Dantonio.

According to a statement from MSU Athletics Communications, the procedure is “relatively common.”

“The procedure was successful and blood flow to the heart muscle was restored,” Dr. D’Haem said in a statement. “I’m very pleased with the outcome of the procedure. Coach Dantonio is resting comfortably following his procedure and is expected to make a full recovery.

“He is young, in excellent shape, and the damage to his heart was minimal. Coach Dantonio made the right decision to come in and get checked out immediately.”

Dantonio’s return to coaching will be determined at a later date. Athletics Director Mark Hollis said Dantonio will not be on the sidelines for next Saturday’s game against Northern Colorado.

In his place, offensive coordinator Don Treadwell will manage the responsibilities of the head coach. Hollis said men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo assisted in deciding who would take over head coaching duties.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Coach D and his family,” Treadwell said in a statement. “We wish him a full and speedy recovery, so he can rejoin us on the sidelines. In the interim, the vast majority of this coaching staff has been together for seven years, so we won’t miss a beat as we move forward and build upon the momentum of last night’s thrilling victory.”

A press conference is schedule for 1 p.m.

“Mark Dantonio is our head coach,” Athletics Director Mark Hollis said in a statement. “Throughout his recovery process, offensive coordinator Don Treadwell will assume the day-to-day responsibilities of the head coach. This is a time for Spartan Nation to rally around Coach D and the football program. We all look forward to his return to the sidelines. The thoughts of the entire Spartan family are with Coach D, his wife Becky and his daughters Kristen and Lauren.”

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