In what many feel is a long overdue move, Michigan State University is giving its football coaches a raise this season.

Head coach Mark Dantonio and his staff were among the lowest paid coaches in the Big Ten Conference. That will all change beginning in 2014. A pay raise from $1.99 million to $3.64 million, moves Dantonio up to No. 4 in the conference.

Unlike many coaches, like James Franklin at Penn State, who is reportedly receiving $4 million per year, Michigan State is paying Dantonio and his staff based on performance.

In his seven seasons in East Lansing, Dantonio and his staff have led the Spartans to a record of 64-29 and a winning percentage of .688. Michigan State has appeared in seven consecutive bowl games, which is a school record.

The Spartans are the reigning Big Ten and Rose Bowl Champions, finishing No. 3 in the final rankings.

Michigan State finished 13-1 last season, a school record, and capped off the regular season with a win over No. 2-ranked Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game and a win over No. 5-ranked Stanford in the 100th Rose Bowl Game.

On top of that, the Spartans have won 42 of their last 54 games dating back to 2010.

Dantonio’s players are also getting it done in the classroom. Since he arrived in East Lansing, 98 of 123 players who have completed the eligibility earned their undergraduate degrees.

The Spartans have also had 87 Academic All-Big Ten selections and five Academic All-Americans.

Here are the annual terms of the amended contract:

• $2,000,000 base salary

• $1,000,000 supplemental income

• $286,000 contingent annual bonus

• $204,917 benefits

• $100,000 shoe/apparel agreement

• $50,000 guaranteed performance incentives

Michigan State Athletic Director Mark Hollis announced that the Spartan assistant coaches would also receive pay raises.

Former Dowagiac standout Mark Staten, the MSU offensive line coach, will be paid $254,583 next season. Last year Staten made $205,000, an increase of $49,750.

Staten becomes the Big Ten’s highest paid non-coordinator offensive line coach.

“Under coach Dantonio’s leadership, the MSU football program not only has risen in national prominence but also continues to develop well-rounded student-athletes who have gone on to great careers in a variety of fields,” President Simon said. “Week in and week out, coach Dantonio empowers our players to meet and exceed their goals. That laser focus, sense of family and value-based work ethic are what being a Spartan is all about.”

“Mark Dantonio and his assistants have done a remarkable job in putting Michigan State football back on the national map and positioning it to compete for Big Ten Championships on a consistent basis,” Hollis said. “The amended contract and enhanced compensation reflect his and his coaching staff’s value in the current marketplace. These updated figures position Mark and his staff in the upper tier of the Big Ten. We believe that we have not only one of the finest head coaches in the conference but in all of college football, and we feel the same about his assistant coaches.”