Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio did something he isn’t normally known for doing during Friday’s gathering of Michigan high school and college coaches in Kalamazoo.
What he did was tip his cap to the Michigan football program during his brief speech in front of the different football coaches from around the State.
Jeff Hecklinski, wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Michigan later returned the nice words right back to Dantonio and the Michigan State football program.
However, it was during Hecklinski’s speech that things started to get awkward.
After his praise of his rivals in East Lansing, Hecklinsk then went into a detailed presentation on the University of Michigan way of recruiting.
This is where Dantonio felt that Hecklinski was going a little too far.
The Michigan State head coach, who was mic’d up interrupted Hecklinski about mid presentation and according to the Kalamazoo Gazette summoned the rest of the panel to the stage. Dantonio then stated that (Hecklinski) should talk about more than just recruiting at Michigan.
Hecklinksi, who looked taken off guard by Dantonio sat back down on the stage where he was joined by the rest of the panel.
Both sides later said the incident was nothing more than just a misunderstanding writes Jayson Bussa of the Kalamazoo Gazette…
“I really didn’t know how this would work in this forum; it was the first time we’ve ever done this and I just didn’t know how this would work,” Dantonio said. “I didn’t want it to be a recruiting (speech for only Michigan).”
Hecklinski chose not to dwell on the altercation, either.
“Look, I understand my place,” said Hecklinski, who thought he had a 15-minute window to speak about his program. “What took place, took place and it is what it is. There is no reason to rehash it.”
The panel of coaches discussed and fielded questions about issues facing high school football and recruiting. Hecklinski said the event served its purpose.
“At the end of the day, it’s about helping the kids,” he said. “It’s about getting them opportunities no matter where they are. That’s the purpose of the format and at the end, my job was to make sure I did not interrupt or take away from that process or take away from what the podium was for.”
Hecklinski was at the event filling in for Michigan head coach Brady Hoke who was at the who was in Houston last night for the Bear Bryant Award ceremony.
Hoke though is expected to make an appearance at three-day event in Kalamazoo.
Ref: Kalamazoo Gazette, DetNews.com (image)
