Pat Fitzgerald is wasting no time reshaping Michigan State football in his image. Since being named the Spartans’ new head coach earlier this month, he’s been hard at work assembling a staff that can help turn things around in East Lansing. And one of the most significant steps in that process just came into focus.
According to industry sources, Fitzgerald is bringing in Winston DeLattiboudere III as Michigan State’s new defensive line coach. DeLattiboudere, who spent the 2025 season coaching the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive front, is making the move back to the college ranks - and back to familiar territory.
This hire isn’t just about filling a position. It’s about reuniting a coaching tandem that’s already proven it can deliver results.
DeLattiboudere has a long-standing connection with MSU defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, dating back to their time together at Minnesota. He played under Rossi for three seasons with the Golden Gophers, then joined his staff as a coach in 2023.
A year later, he was promoted to assistant head coach - a testament to how quickly he’s risen in the coaching ranks.
And it’s not just titles. The numbers back it up.
In 2024, under Rossi and with DeLattiboudere leading the defensive line, Minnesota put together one of the most formidable defenses in the country. The Gophers ranked fifth nationally in total defense, ninth in scoring defense, and 12th in rushing defense.
That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of a defensive front that was disciplined, disruptive, and well-coached.
Minnesota’s sack totals tell a similar story. The Gophers had just 10.5 sacks from the defensive line in 2022 - the year before DeLattiboudere arrived.
That number jumped to 20 in 2023 and held strong at 17.5 in 2024. The overall team sack total also climbed from 19 in 2022 to 28 in 2024.
Beyond sacks, the D-line forced six fumbles, recovered three, broke up seven passes, and even snagged an interception in 2023. That’s a unit making plays at every level.
DeLattiboudere’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2024, he was selected to the American Football Coaches Association’s prestigious 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute - a nod to his rising profile in the coaching world.
That same year, he also served as Minnesota’s newcomer coordinator, helping freshmen and transfers adjust to college football life. It’s a role that speaks to his ability to connect with players and build culture - something Michigan State desperately needs as it tries to reset.
Before his coaching career took off, DeLattiboudere was a standout on the field himself. He played five seasons at Minnesota from 2015 to 2019, appearing in 51 games with 36 starts.
He racked up 83 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks in his career, while also earning academic All-Big Ten honors and the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award as a senior. He was recognized not just for his play, but for his leadership and character - winning the team’s Tony Dungy Award for community service and the Defensive Scout Team Award as a freshman.
Now, he brings that same energy and leadership back to the Big Ten - this time in green and white.
For Fitzgerald, this hire checks a lot of boxes. It brings in a young, respected coach with both NFL and college experience.
It reunites a trusted assistant with his defensive coordinator. And it injects a dose of proven player development into a program that’s been searching for stability.
Fitzgerald, officially hired on December 1st as Michigan State’s 27th head coach, comes to East Lansing after a 17-year run at Northwestern, where he won 110 games - the second-most among active Big Ten coaches at the time of his hire. He replaces Jonathan Smith, who was let go after two seasons without a bowl appearance.
It’s clear Fitzgerald is building a staff with familiarity, trust, and a track record of success. And with DeLattiboudere now in the fold, Michigan State’s defensive line just got a lot more interesting.