GRAND RAPIDS -- Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said his program is considering holding future spring drills in a warmer climate, much in the same fashion as Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has set up for the Wolverines.

"I think it's creative, there's no question about that," Dantonio said, asked what he thought of Michigan holding four practices at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. "From our standpoint, we've never thought to do that, but we're thinking about it nowadays."

The Spartans are four workouts into their winter conditioning program with the start of spring football drills coming up on March 22.

Dantonio spoke at the 6th annual Spartan Winter Tailgate at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids on Thursday evening.

Harbaugh made news when he announced plans for Michigan to hold four practices of its spring football workouts at the IMG Academy in Brandenton, Florida, during the school's spring break.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey objected and asked the NCAA to prohibit teams from holding spring practice sessions during the week of spring break.

Dantonio indicated that as long as holding practices at off-campus sites is legal, it's something he will consider.

"If we want to go to Florida or someplace else in Texas or something like that, it would be our option to do that, and I guess that's allowed right now," Dantonio said. "I do think it's important to have a level playing field."

Former Michigan State coach George Perles was also in Grand Rapids to receive the 2016 Legacy Award from the West Michigan Spartans.

Perles, a U.S. Army veteran who played at Michigan State from 1954-1956 and coached the Spartans from 1983-1994, was recognized for his work with the Special Olympics.

Eljay Brown won the 2015 Legacy Award, and John Shinsky was the inaugural winner in 2014.

* Download the MSU basketball on MLive app for iPhone and Android

* Download the MSU football on MLive app for iPhone and Android

* Follow Mike Griffith and Kyle Austin on Twitter

* Like MLive's Michigan State Spartans Facebook page