REPORT: Two Former MSU Coaches Are Listed in the Top 25 of the 2000s

Michigan State University’s football tradition has long been defined by the quality of its head coaches, and the program’s place among the sport’s elite was reaffirmed this week when two former Spartans skippers—Nick Saban and Mark Dantonio—were named among The Athletic’s Top 25 college football coaches of the 2000s. This remarkable achievement speaks not only to the individual excellence of these leaders, but also to the enduring culture of competitiveness they helped build at East Lansing.

The Athletic’s 2000s Coaches List: An Overview

In mid-May 2025, The Athletic published its ranking of the Top 25 head coaches in college football since the year 2000, evaluating performance across conference titles, national championships, playoff appearances, and sustained winning percentages over a quarter century . While some honorees remain on the sideline today—like Kirby Smart (No. 4) and Dabo Swinney (No. 5)—others have transitioned to the NFL, retired, or moved into administrative roles . The roster counts legends such as Urban Meyer (No. 2), Pete Carroll (No. 3), and Jim Harbaugh (No. 8), but it was the presence of two coaches with Spartan ties that sent ripples of pride through Michigan State Nation.

Nick Saban: From Spartan Beginnings to Coaching Pantheon

Nick Saban’s tenure at MSU (1995–1999) was a prelude to a career that would redefine sustained excellence in college football. Although he departed East Lansing without a bowl victory (0-3 record in bowl games) , Saban’s meticulous approach to program building caught the attention of LSU, where he captured the 2003 BCS National Championship, and later Alabama, where he won six more titles between 2009 and 2020 .

• Ranked No. 1 overall on The Athletic’s list, Saban outpaced every other coach in the century’s first quarter—a testament to seven national championships, a staggering career record of 292-71-1, and an unmatched level of consistency on the biggest stages .
• “Saban is the most successful coach in the history of the sport and an easy No. 1,” wrote Chris Vannini of The Athletic, noting that every four-year player under Saban at Alabama left with a national title .

For a program like Michigan State, Saban’s rise to coaching royalty underscores the depth of leadership talent that has passed through Spartan Stadium and remains a point of pride for the university’s football heritage.

Mark Dantonio: Resurrecting Spartan Identity

When Mark Dantonio returned to his alma mater as head coach on November 27, 2006, Michigan State football was grappling with three consecutive losing seasons and waning fan engagement . Dantonio—an MSU assistant from 1995 to 2000 and a national-championship defensive coordinator at Ohio State in 2002—immediately set about restoring a culture of toughness and discipline.

• By 2010, Dantonio steered the Spartans to a share of the Big Ten title, their first outright conference championship since 1987; subsequent outright crowns followed in 2013 and 2015 .
• His teams earned 12 bowl appearances, including a victory in the 2013 Rose Bowl, and reached the inaugural College Football Playoff semifinal in 2015 .
• Dantonio finished his Michigan State tenure (2007–2019) with a 114-57 overall record, making him the winningest coach in school history .

On The Athletic’s list, Dantonio was slotted at No. 21, cementing his place among the very best coaches of the era . As Aidan Champion of Sports Illustrated observed, “Dantonio took over a floundering MSU program in 2007 and turned it into one of the Big Ten’s best”, a transformation that included four consecutive victories over rival Michigan—a Spartan first since the early 1960s .

Comparing Two Paths to Excellence

Although Saban and Dantonio share Spartan roots, their career trajectories diverged dramatically:

* Co-champions
Both coaches instilled distinctive identities—Saban’s “Process” emphasized relentless preparation, while Dantonio’s Spartans became synonymous with physicality and ball control. Their separate philosophies nevertheless share a common Spartan DNA: discipline, resilience, and an unyielding work ethic.

The Ripple Effects on Michigan State Football

The dual recognition of Saban and Dantonio at the forefront of modern coaching has tangible benefits for Michigan State’s brand:

1. Recruiting Boost
   Prospective athletes are drawn to programs with proven leadership pedigrees. Highlighting a lineage that includes the No. 1 coach of the 2000s and the No. 21 coach enhances the Spartans’ allure on the recruiting trail .
2. Alumni Engagement
   Celebrating these coaching legends galvanizes Spartan alumni—from local communities in East Lansing to national fan networks—reinvigorating fundraising and game-day attendance.
3. Institutional Pride
   Beyond wins and losses, institutional narratives thrive on historic benchmarks. Two alumni-coaches honored among the century’s best contribute to a culture of excellence that permeates academics, research, and athletics alike.

Broader Context: The 2000s Coaching Landscape

The 2000s witnessed seismic shifts in college football:

• Conference realignments reshaped traditional rivalries.
• The BCS system gave way to the College Football Playoff, altering championship pathways.
• NIL agreements and the transfer portal introduced new dynamics in roster management.

Amid these changes, coaches like Saban and Dantonio adapted their strategies, proving that adaptability and innovation are as crucial as X’s and O’s . Their success stories serve as case studies in leadership that transcends XAberlin–chalkboard tactics, touching on program culture, staff development, and player character.

Voices from Spartan Nation

Reaction on social media and local outlets has been effusive:

“Seeing Coach D back on a list like this makes me proud to be a Spartan.”
GreenWhitePride on

“Nick Saban’s legacy started at MSU—glad to see he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves.”
—Spartan Alumni Association newsletter

These testimonials underscore the emotional connection between coaches and community, illustrating how individual achievement ripples outward to inspire fans, students, and fellow alumni.

Looking Ahead: Building on a Legacy

As Michigan State transitions under current head coach Jonathan Smith (appointed 2024), the blueprint laid by Saban and Dantonio remains instructive:

• Culture Over Transactions: Prioritize program values to weather the volatility of modern college athletics.
• Player Development: Emphasize holistic growth—athletic, academic, and personal.
• Institutional Alignment: Ensure athletic success complements academic mission, reinforcing MSU’s reputation on all fronts.

By honoring two former coaches among the Top 25 of the 2000s, Michigan State not only celebrates past glories but also charts a course for sustained excellence in the decades to come.

Conclusion

The Athletic’s ranking serves as a powerful reminder that Michigan State football’s influence extends far beyond Spartan Stadium. Nick Saban’s No. 1 placement confirms a coaching career that redefined championship standards, while Mark Dantonio’s No. 21 spot validates a transformative era in East Lansing that revitalized a storied program. Together, they exemplify the Spartan spirit—relentless, disciplined, and ever-ambitious—and set a benchmark for future coaches who aspire to leave their mark on the gridiron.