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Dantonio, MSU will not renew Curtis Blackwell's contract

May 30, 2017
<p>The MSU football team runs out onto the field before the game begins against Ohio State on Nov. 19, 2016 at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans were defeated by the Buckeyes, 17-16.</p>

The MSU football team runs out onto the field before the game begins against Ohio State on Nov. 19, 2016 at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans were defeated by the Buckeyes, 17-16.

Photo by Nic Antaya | The State News

Update 12:22 p.m. 

Cody confirmed to The State News via text message that Blackwell had been suspended by the university since Feb. 9. It was originally reported Blackwell was suspended on Feb. 14.


MSU football assistant coach Curtis Blackwell will not return with the program after his contract with the university expires May 31, an MSU spokesperson confirmed Tuesday morning.

Head coach Mark Dantonio was the one who made the decision not to renew Blackwell's contract. Blackwell has been suspended with pay since February. 

"Once his contract is completed tomorrow, he will no longer be an employee of the university," MSU spokesperson Jason Cody said.

Blackwell's contract was originally set to expire at the end of March, but had been given two one-month extensions.

"All I can say is that this was a decision (Dantonio) reached and the contract will not be extended," Cody said. 

Cody insisted this was not a termination of Blackwell's contract, but rather that it was Dantonio deciding to go separate ways.

"He had a contract, it was being extended month-to-month and this was a decision coach made," Cody said. "I don’t consider this a termination, we’re just not renewing his contract."

Blackwell's official position with the program was the Director of College Advancement and Performance and oversaw the team's recruiting efforts, along with mentoring student-athletes with career and graduation objectives. 

Blackwell joined the staff in August 2013 and spent nine years as the co-director of the Sound Mind, Sound Body Football Academy. 

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