Michigan State’s decision to hire Pat Fitzgerald as its next head football coach is drawing measured but optimistic reviews, with ESPN assigning the move a “B” grade. And when you take a closer look at Fitzgerald’s track record, the challenges ahead, and the context surrounding his return to the sidelines, it’s easy to understand why that grade feels about right - cautiously hopeful, but not without its caveats.
Let’s start with the basics: Fitzgerald is a name synonymous with Big Ten football. A true Midwesterner through and through, he spent nearly two decades leading Northwestern, where he became the face of the program and one of the most recognizable coaching figures in the conference. He knows the terrain, the rivalries, the recruiting battles - and perhaps most importantly, he knows what it takes to win in this league.
That familiarity with the Big Ten, especially during the heyday of Mark Dantonio’s Michigan State tenure, is part of what makes this hire intriguing. Fitzgerald coached against those Spartans teams and saw first-hand what a successful Michigan State program looks like. Now, he’s being tasked with restoring that identity in East Lansing.
But this isn’t just a story about conference familiarity or regional fit. There’s more to unpack here - particularly Fitzgerald’s recent history.
He stepped away from coaching after a hazing scandal at Northwestern led to a lawsuit and his eventual dismissal. That lawsuit has since been settled, and Fitzgerald was publicly cleared of direct culpability, paving the way for his return to the college football landscape.
Still, the end of his tenure at Northwestern wasn’t exactly a high note. Over his final two seasons, the Wildcats went just 4-20, and the program struggled to adapt in the new era of college football - one defined by NIL, the transfer portal, and a rapidly evolving power structure.
In fact, Northwestern won three games or fewer in three of Fitzgerald’s last four seasons. That’s a tough pill to ignore, even for a coach with a résumé that includes two Big Ten West titles and multiple 10-win seasons.
So what does this mean for Michigan State? It means Fitzgerald is walking into a program that’s looking for a reset - but not a rebuild.
The Spartans still have resources, fan support, and a proud football tradition. What they need is a leader who can stabilize the foundation and then elevate the program in a conference that’s only getting tougher with expansion and increased competition.
Fitzgerald’s success at Michigan State will hinge on whether he can adapt. The qualities that made him a consistent winner at Northwestern - toughness, discipline, player development - are still valuable.
But to thrive in East Lansing, he’ll need to show growth in how he constructs his staff and builds rosters in the age of player mobility and NIL. Early indications suggest he’s off to a strong start on that front, with some notable staff hires already generating buzz.
Ultimately, a “B” grade feels like a fair evaluation. It acknowledges Fitzgerald’s proven ability to lead a Big Ten program while also recognizing the need for evolution.
Michigan State isn’t just betting on Fitzgerald’s past - they’re betting on his ability to adapt and lead in a new era of college football. If he can do that, this hire could age very well.
If not, the Spartans might find themselves back in the carousel sooner than they’d like.