Michigan State's New Era Begins with a Statement Signing - and a Vision
EAST LANSING - Pat Fitzgerald wasted no time making his presence felt in East Lansing. Less than two months into his new role as Michigan State’s head coach, he sent a loud message - not just to fans, but to recruits across the state and beyond: the Spartans are serious about building something.
That message came through loud and clear last Friday night, when Fitzgerald pulled out all the stops to lock in four-star wide receiver Samson Gash. The Detroit Catholic Central standout had already committed to Michigan State back in June, but with a coaching change and the early signing period looming, things got uncertain.
Gash and his family weren’t ready to sign just days into Fitzgerald’s tenure - and Fitzgerald didn’t push. Instead, he played the long game.
“They were talking about potentially signing early, and they were not sure about where things were at here, even though he was committed,” Fitzgerald said. “And I just said, ‘Then, why don't we hit pause?’”
That pause turned into a full-court press - capped off by a moment that felt straight out of a recruiting highlight reel.
Gash and Fitzgerald walked out of the Breslin Center tunnel ahead of Michigan State’s men’s basketball game against rival Michigan. The crowd erupted.
They made their way down the sideline to where Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell was sitting. A handshake.
More cheers. And a moment that stuck.
“They were phenomenal,” Fitzgerald said of the fans. “And definitely made him feel wanted from our fan base… I think we shared that moment together which is pretty neat.”
It worked. Gash signed with the Spartans, giving Fitzgerald a major in-state recruiting win and setting the tone for what he hopes becomes a pipeline of top Michigan talent staying home.
“To add Samson Gash today to the football program is a huge win,” Fitzgerald said. “To add the top receiver in the state - you could argue one of the top wide receivers in the country - along with some young men that are going to be priority walk-ons, for us it was a great, great first Wednesday in February.”
That win didn’t happen in a vacuum. It was the product of a calculated plan that Fitzgerald began executing the moment he arrived in East Lansing.
Step one: build a staff. That included retaining wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins, who had already built a strong relationship with the Gash family.
Step two: stabilize the roster. Fitzgerald kept key returners, including quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, who’s taken on a leadership role in recruiting.
Step three: bring back familiar faces. One of them?
Gash’s older brother Caleb, a defensive back who may have been the most persuasive recruiter of them all.
And yes, other programs came calling - including Penn State. But Fitzgerald got his guy. And for a first-year head coach trying to reestablish MSU’s identity, that matters.
“Samson hopefully will be a huge catalyst,” Fitzgerald said. “Not only for this year, but then also to make a statement to the great players here in the state of Michigan to stay home.
And the great players in the state go to State, right? And that's what our expectation is.”
That philosophy - keep the best in-state talent at home - is more than just a recruiting slogan. It’s part of Fitzgerald’s broader approach to building a roster: patient, intentional, and honest.
That honesty showed up in his first meetings with returning players. Fitzgerald assessed each of them across five areas - academics, nutrition, strength, and more - and laid it all out on the table.
“I said, I'm a new guy. Here's the perception of who you are, not as a person, but maybe academically or nutrition-wise, strength-wise, things of that nature,” Fitzgerald explained.
Not everyone agreed with the evaluations. That was fine. But the direction of the program was non-negotiable.
“I just said, ‘Listen, I understand that, but here's where we're going,’” Fitzgerald said, raising his hand to motion upward. “Come on with me - or.”
Some players chose “or.” That’s the reality of college football in 2026 - and Fitzgerald isn’t losing sleep over it.
“I wish them the best of luck,” he said. “And I'll be excited for them to hopefully go find the right fit.
There's nothing wrong with anybody. I just gave that option, but I was very clear where we're going.”
Where they’re going includes 30 new transfer additions, including offensive tackle Ben Murawski - a key piece in Fitzgerald’s effort to get bigger up front - and a familiar face in cornerback Charles Brantley. Brantley’s return brought back memories of his highlight interception against Michigan in 2021 - a play Fitzgerald didn’t forget.
“That’s the guy?” Fitzgerald recalled. “We’ll take him.”
Now, with the roster largely in place, Fitzgerald’s focus shifts to the field. Spring practice kicks off March 17 - intentionally set for St. Patrick’s Day - and while there won’t be a traditional spring game, fans can expect some sort of event to get a look at the new-look Spartans.
“We've got a lot of work to do between now and spring ball,” Fitzgerald said. “But that's happening in earnest.”
The work is just beginning. But if the early returns - and the signing of Samson Gash - are any indication, Fitzgerald’s Spartans are already starting to take shape.