Max Bullough is officially back in East Lansing - and Michigan State football just got a whole lot tougher on defense.
The former Spartan standout is returning to his alma mater as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, joining newly hired head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s staff. It’s a full-circle moment for Bullough, who once roamed Spartan Stadium as the heart of Michigan State’s defense during the Mark Dantonio era. Now, he’s returning to help rebuild the program from the sidelines.
This move had been in the works for a little while, with reports surfacing last week that Bullough was leaving his post at Notre Dame. He was even spotted courtside at a Michigan State basketball game earlier this week, fueling speculation that a return was imminent. On Thursday morning, the school made it official.
Bullough’s coaching journey has taken him through some of the top programs in the country. After starting as a graduate assistant at Cincinnati and then Alabama, he landed at Notre Dame, where he coached linebackers for the past two seasons. That experience - combined with his deep ties to Michigan State - makes him a compelling addition to the Spartans’ staff.
Let’s not forget what Bullough meant to Michigan State as a player. He was a defensive anchor during one of the most successful stretches in program history.
In 2013, he helped lead the Spartans to a Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl win - a season that still resonates with fans in East Lansing. That kind of pedigree matters, especially when you're trying to instill a culture of toughness, discipline, and pride.
Now, Bullough returns not just as a former player, but as a rising coaching mind. He’ll share defensive coordinator duties with Joe Rossi, a pairing that gives the Spartans a strong foundation on that side of the ball. Rossi brings schematic versatility and head coaching experience, while Bullough adds intensity, familiarity with the program, and a linebacker’s eye for detail.
This hire isn’t just about nostalgia - it’s about building a defense that can compete in the new Big Ten landscape. With conference realignment and expanded playoff implications looming, Michigan State needs coaches who can recruit, develop, and inspire. Bullough checks all those boxes.
His return also signals a cultural reset under Fitzgerald. Bringing in a former Spartan who knows what it takes to win in East Lansing sends a clear message: this program is serious about getting back to its roots - and back to winning.
It’s early in the Fitzgerald era, but moves like this suggest a clear vision. And for Michigan State fans, seeing Max Bullough back in green and white - this time with a headset - is a welcome sight.