Pat Fitzgerald Poised to Lead Michigan State Rebuild After Tumultuous Stretch
Michigan State football is staring down a full-scale rebuild, and it looks like they’ve found the man they believe can lead it: Pat Fitzgerald.
After officially parting ways with head coach Jonathan Smith on Sunday, the Spartans are reportedly set to bring Fitzgerald back into the Big Ten fold. If the deal gets across the finish line, it marks a major return for the former Northwestern head coach - and a significant gamble by Michigan State on a coach with a complicated past but a proven track record on the field.
Fitzgerald hasn’t coached since the summer of 2023, when he was fired by Northwestern following a hazing scandal that rocked the program. While a settlement between Fitzgerald and the university acknowledged that hazing occurred, Fitzgerald has consistently maintained he had no knowledge of it.
Speaking recently on the College Gameday Podcast, he didn’t mince words: “I feel 100 percent vindicated... Especially for our players and their families.
The facts are the facts.”
Now, with that chapter seemingly closed, Fitzgerald is stepping into a program that’s been through its own share of turbulence. Michigan State just wrapped up a 4-8 season, managing only a single Big Ten win - a 38-28 victory over Maryland to close the year. The Spartans have also been dealing with the fallout of NCAA sanctions tied to ineligible players in recent years, adding another layer of complexity to an already challenging job.
But if there’s a coach familiar with uphill climbs, it’s Fitzgerald. At Northwestern, he built a reputation for maximizing talent and squeezing out wins in a program that rarely had top-tier recruiting classes.
He led the Wildcats to multiple 10-win seasons and two Big Ten Championship Game appearances. His teams were known for discipline, physicality, and playing smart, tough football - all qualities Michigan State desperately needs to recapture.
The timing of this move also adds some spice to an already frenzied college football coaching carousel. On a day when Lane Kiffin made headlines by jumping ship from Ole Miss to Baton Rouge, Michigan State’s bold play for Fitzgerald is a reminder that the Big Ten is gearing up for a new era - one that’s only getting more competitive.
For Michigan State, this hire isn’t just about X’s and O’s. It’s about reestablishing identity, stability, and a culture that can withstand the grind of a loaded Big Ten schedule. Fitzgerald will have his work cut out for him, but if he can bring the same toughness and consistency that defined his best Northwestern teams, the Spartans could be on the path to relevance again.
One thing’s for sure - the Big Ten just got a lot more interesting.