Mark Dantonio to get new deal

— -- Mark Dantonio has agreed to a new contract with Michigan State, athletic director Mark Hollis confirmed Wednesday night.

Hollis also told the Detroit Free Press in a text message that Michigan State intends to make Dantonio one of the three highest-paid coaches in the Big Ten. In addition, the deal will place his assistants among the three highest-paid staffs in the conference, a source told ESPN's Joe Schad.

Dantonio's salary had been in the bottom third of the conference, with him making about $1.9 million per year. The highest-paid coaches in the Big Ten, according to USA Today's most recently updated database of coaches' salaries, are Ohio State's Urban Meyer ($4.6 million per year), Michigan's Brady Hoke ($4.15 million) and Iowa's Kirk Ferentz ($3.985 million).

The No. 4 Spartans (13-1) beat No. 5 Stanford 24-20 in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio on New Year's Day, Michigan State's first appearance in the game in 26 seasons.

Dantonio, 57, is 64-29 with Michigan State in seven seasons. And consistent with the stability he has built for the program, Dantonio wanted to keep his entire staff together.

Pat Narduzzi, the 2013 Broyles Award winner as the nation's top assistant coach, withdrew as a head-coaching candidate at Connecticut to remain in East Lansing. He is often credited with helping the Spartans rank among the nation's top five defenses for three straight years. They are ranked No. 1 overall this season.

An intermediary for Texas did reach out to Dantonio to gauge his interest in the Longhorns' opening following the departure of Mack Brown, a source confirmed to ESPN.

Dantonio was asked after Wednesday's game about being linked to some high-profile positions and the new contract.

"That's very flattering, but it would be hard to leave these guys," he said. "So while it's very, very flattering, my intentions are to be at Michigan State. That's all I'll say about those things. I'll look forward to seeing my guys back on Monday morning for classes."

The Spartans won the Big Ten outright this season, and Michigan State has won at least 11 games three times in the past four seasons.

Dantonio was born in El Paso, Texas, and played at South Carolina. Before arriving in East Lansing, he got his first head-coaching job at Cincinnati. He spent three seasons (2004-06) with the Bearcats and went 18-17 before returning to Michigan State, where he was defensive backs coach from 1995 to 2000 and worked for Nick Saban.

ESPN's Joe Schad and The Associated Press contributed to this report.