Dec 2, 2025 - Sports

Meet Michigan State's next football head coach

Joe Guillen

Pat Fitzgerald coaches Northwestern against Michigan State in 2018. Photo: Duane Burleson/Getty Images

After striking out with Jonathan Smith, whose reserved nature never seemed to fit in East Lansing, Michigan State football is going back to a gritty, defensive-minded head coach in Pat Fitzgerald.

Why it matters: The Spartans (4-8) finished this season in the Big Ten's basement — a far cry from the success recorded under former head coaches Mark Dantonio and, briefly, Mel Tucker.

Driving the news: Michigan State named Fitzgerald as its next head football coach yesterday, one day after Smith was fired.

Flashback: Fitzgerald coached Northwestern from 2006 to 2022, going 110-101 with 10 bowl appearances.

He was Big Ten coach of the year in 2018 and won the national Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award in 2020.
As a player, Fitzgerald was an All-Big Ten linebacker for Northwestern in the 1990s.

Yes, but: He was fired in 2023 amid a hazing scandal.

Fitzgerald denied knowledge of the hazing and filed a wrongful termination lawsuit. He and Northwestern settled out of court this year for an undisclosed amount.

What they're saying: "Today marks the beginning of a new era for Michigan State football," MSU vice president and director of athletics J Batt said.

"Pat is an excellent fit for Michigan State football, as he understands the Big Ten, has great relationships throughout the Midwest and embodies the values on which our program was built."

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Meet Michigan State's next football head coach

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