Page 12 - SFM NOVEMBER GOOD 2018 copy 2.indd

Coaches corner Lenny Dantinne
Name: Lenny Dantinne however, they were getting new sod

Sport/Activity: Football that summer so we spent the week at

School / Community: Millington MSU practicing and then bussed over

Family: wife Taylor, son Hudson (4), to The Big House and played @ U-M.

daughter Oakley (almost 2) What awards or honors have you

How long have you participated in won? In high school I was awarded

this sport/activity? 12 years coaching the Defensive Player of the Year in

at Millington the UP and was 1st team all-state. In

What do you love best about it? I college (SVSU) I was awarded the

enjoy the camaraderie of being part Mo Clevering Award for two years

of a team working toward lofty goals. and the Most Inspirational Player

There is no sport better than football Award my senior year, which proba-

when it comes to building relation- bly is one of the most special awards

ships with kids. It’s the only sport I’ve ever received because it was the choice to tie or go for the win late
that requires regular season perfor- voted on by all of my teammates. in the fourth. We went for two and
mance to get into the post season. won 22-21!
It puts a sense of urgency on each What have you learned from par-
week of preparation. It amplifies ticipating in this sport/activity? Per- One tip for someone looking to get
the relationships you build with severance, discipline, and teamwork into this sport/activity: Commit your-
kids – now is the time to get things are the three biggest things football self. Coaching high school sports
done and if we want to accomplish has taught me. Sports help transi- and doing it the right way is a year
our goals we need to work together. tion boys into men and girls into round, rigorous job. Friday nights
Also, I’m super competitive. I love women. Players and coaches don’t are fun, but it takes a high level of
football, the opportunities it has given get a “choice” to attend practice – it’s commitment to coach a high school
me and the lessons it has taught me mandatory. Even when you don’t feel sport. There is no way to do it being
and I want our players to have that good, have a bad attitude, etc. you partially in – either you’re all in or you
same experience. must still stay the course – people shouldn’t be coaching.
are counting on you. It has a lot
Thinking back over the years, who in common with being a dad and a Are there any other activities you
is a mentor or coach that helped you husband. If I have a bad day, my love? I love all sports. If my wife
grow as a coach or athlete? What kids still rely on me to be there – it’s and I aren’t coaching a sport, you’ll
made them special? My high school not optional! Sports help to instill see us in the stands cheering our
football coach (Coach Chad Brandt) this perseverance, discipline, and kids on. We love to attend volleyball,
and my college football coach (Coach teamwork that makes young adults basketball, softball, etc. games. We
Randy Awrey) were a lot alike. They successful workers, husbands, and enjoy supporting our student-athletes
didn’t ask for discipline and hard fathers. because we know how much their
work. They demanded it. They team means to them. The Yooper
taught me the right way to play the What do you like the most about in me enjoy cutting firewood. And fi-
game and modeled the right way to the sport/activity? I love the sheer nally, I like jumping at Sky Zone with
coach the game. They demanded competitiveness of football. I enjoy my son and singing Baby Shark with
perfection. They taught me the the emotions involved in the game. my daughter.
respect that I have for the game of The high, sweet feeling of victory is
football and that no one is bigger only so intense because the sadness Where can we find you in the off
than the game itself. and disappointment that comes with season? In the offseason you will
losing is so brutal. find me in the weight room after
Who do you idolize in this sport/ school and then at Millington sporting
activity? Brett Favre played the What is your favorite moment? My events with my family in the evening.
game the way it was supposed to be favorite memory of coaching is the
played. He was selfless. He played 2009 regional game @ Ovid-Elsie. Anything else you think we should
through pain for the love of the game O-E was 11-0 at the time and had know about you? My wife, Taylor,
and the love of his teammates. just made a trip to Ford Field the does the behind the scenes work
previous year. No one gave us a for our program. She coaches 7th
Have you traveled anywhere spe- chance to win. Some of my students grade volleyball, takes care of our
cial related to this sport/activity? I in junior high math were making com- family, and then sacrifices the rest
was fortunate enough to play in the ments to me about how it was a great of her time as an integral part of this
2002 Michigan High School All Star season, but that they weren’t going program. If something neat is going
game that included Drew Stanton, to the game because it would be a on with Millington Football, there is a
David Harris, Tim Shaw, etc. They blowout. We were down 20-21 with
good chance that she is behind it.

used to play that game at MSU;

12 • SpSoporrtstsFiFninesetstMMaagagaziznineenoNvov20128018sposprotsrftisnfeinsteMstaMgzaignzein.ceo.mcom989859455405730573k5ellkye@lslypo@rstpsofritnsefsitnmesatgmaazignaez.cinoem.com