Max Bullough Returns to Michigan State: Rebuilding Spartan Toughness from the Inside Out
Max Bullough is back in East Lansing-and he’s bringing the fire with him.
The former Michigan State linebacker and Spartan captain has officially returned to his alma mater, joining Pat Fitzgerald’s staff as linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator. For a program looking to recapture its blue-collar identity, Bullough’s homecoming couldn’t come at a better time.
And make no mistake-this isn’t just a feel-good reunion. This is about restoring a defensive mindset that once defined Michigan State football.
“My goal is that when I die, anytime someone talks about the top teams in the Big Ten, Michigan State comes out of their mouth.”
That’s not just a soundbite. That’s a mission statement.
“It’s the People That Create the Culture”
Bullough recently joined The Drive with Jack, where his passion for Michigan State football was on full display. The Spartan Will tattoo on his body isn’t just ink-it’s identity. And when he talks about what MSU football should be, it’s clear he’s not interested in surface-level slogans.
“When I think about Michigan State, it’s a tough, blue-collar, hit-you-in-the-mouth football team and football program,” Bullough said. “And in order to have that, you need to have the right people there that understand that, that can foster that, that can exemplify that.”
He’s not wrong.
Programs don’t get built on logos or slogans. They get built on people-coaches who live it, players who believe it.
Bullough’s vision is simple: bring in the right people who understand what Spartan football is supposed to look like. Then go out and play like it.
And while this is his first stint working directly with new head coach Pat Fitzgerald, Bullough didn’t hold back in his praise.
“I’ve never heard one bad thing about Coach Fitz,” he said.
That kind of mutual respect is a strong foundation. And it’s clear Bullough is all-in on the mission Fitzgerald is building.
A Coaching Pedigree Forged by the Best
Bullough’s coaching journey didn’t start in East Lansing, but it’s been shaped by some of the best minds in football.
In Houston, he spent three and a half years learning under Mike Vrabel-first as a player, now as a coach. And it wasn’t just classroom theory. Bullough sat in on meetings for both inside and outside linebackers, soaking up every bit of Vrabel’s knowledge.
“All of us linebackers, inside and outside, met together with [Vrabel],” Bullough said. “So for three and a half years, I got to learn both inside backer, outside backer-all of [Vrabel’s] knowledge.”
Vrabel once called Bullough the smartest player he ever coached. That’s not hyperbole. It’s a glimpse into how Bullough sees the game-and why he’s such a natural fit on the headset.
Then there’s Nick Saban. Bullough spent time under the legendary Alabama coach, and what he learned there might surprise you.
“He was the opposite of what you’d think he’d be,” Bullough said. “If you win, he’s all over your ass. If you lose, he’s going to bring you back up.”
That’s the kind of insight that separates good coaches from great ones. It also explains why Bullough’s approach is built on both toughness and teaching-holding players accountable while helping them grow.
A Spartan Resume That Speaks for Itself
Before he was a coach, Bullough was one of the most productive linebackers in Michigan State history.
A four-year letterwinner and three-year starter, Bullough anchored the middle of the defense with a level of consistency and leadership that’s hard to replicate. He finished his career with 299 tackles-good for 18th all-time in program history-and added 30.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 11 passes defended, and 4 forced fumbles. He was a two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection and served as a team captain in his final two seasons.
And he wasn’t just a force on the field. Bullough was named Academic All-American twice, including a first-team nod in 2013.
In short: he lived the Spartan standard. Now, he’s here to teach it.
From the NFL to the Sidelines
After his college career, Bullough spent three seasons in the NFL with the Houston Texans. He totaled 56 tackles and three tackles for loss, but more importantly, he gained a firsthand education in what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
That experience shaped his coaching path.
He started as a graduate assistant, grinding through the ranks at Cincinnati, Alabama, and Notre Dame from 2019 to 2023. It was at Notre Dame where he got his first full-time position as a linebackers coach-and he made it count. Bullough helped guide the Irish to a national championship game appearance last season and had them knocking on the door of the College Football Playoff again this year.
Now, he brings that momentum-and that mindset-back to East Lansing.
Building a Defense That Hits First
Michigan State’s defense hasn’t looked like itself in recent years. The physicality, the swagger, the edge-it’s all been inconsistent. But Bullough sees a path forward, and it starts with getting back to basics.
Toughness. Intelligence. Relentless effort.
Bullough’s presence on this staff isn’t just symbolic. It’s strategic.
He knows what Spartan football should look like, and he knows how to teach it. With his experience, his energy, and his deep understanding of the program’s DNA, he’s exactly the kind of coach who can help turn things around.
If Michigan State wants to be feared again, it starts with the defense. And that defense starts with Max Bullough.
He’s not just back. He’s on a mission.