photo via statenews.com

Whether they are on a field or a court, many coaches have the same mentality and goals.

Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio and basketball coach Tom Izzo are prime examples.

Izzo often attends Michigan State football games.

But, when it comes to Michigan State football, Izzo's love for the sport goes deeper than watching a game. Izzo told Detroit Free Press the success of the football program affects the basketball program. The football program has a huge impact on the Michigan State brand, and he believes the winning football program and positive headlines leads to better recruiting for the basketball program.

Izzo used Michigan State's 3-9 record last football season to learn. Izzo talked with Dantonio to see what went wrong. He even talked with the basketball team about the struggles Michigan State football faced.

According to the article, Michigan State’s basketball team even attended a football game this season, per Izzo's request. Izzo wanted the basketball team to study the football team. He wanted players to be able to evaluate the game and answer these questions:

What did you see? What does winning look like? What does mental toughness look like? How did the players act?

“I told our players we’re in a situation where we have a lot of good players. If they think that they win because they are good players, we are in trouble,” adding, “The players who play the best win.”

Michigan State football has a bit of a different vibe this year. The Michigan State Spartans are currently ranked No. 16 and are 6-1 this season, and Izzo told the Free Press, “It motivates me. I hope it motivates my team. It’s a statement … a statement I use with my son: When somebody falls down and gets back up, and performs to the level (the football team has) performed … it’s uplifting.”

In success or struggles, coaches can evaluate a program no matter what level, or what game is being played.

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