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Mark Dantonio with former Alabama coach Gene Stallings on Monday

(Courtesy of the Gene Stallings Award)

EAST LANSING -- Mark Dantonio was back in Dallas on Monday, and this time the news he received was good.

Dantonio was presented the 2016 Gene Stallings Award on Monday at the Dallas Country Club. He is fifth recipient of the award, which is named after the longtime Alabama coach and honors coaches "who are also humanitarians and strive to promote healthy, vibrant communities through charitable and community service efforts," according to the award.

The award raises money for children with disabilities, as a tribute to Stallings's late son, Johnny, who was born with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect. The award has raised $1.1 million in five years.

Dantonio's humanitarian efforts during his nine seasons as Michigan State's coach include serving as honorary chairman of the Children's Miracle Network at the Sparrow Children's Center and hosting telethons for the organization, plus hosting an annual women's football clinic that benefits charity.

In 2015, Dantonio won the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award, which combines on-field success with academic success and community work.

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