Michigan State Finds Its Guy: Why Pat Fitzgerald Might Be the Best Hire of the Big Ten Coaching Carousel
The Big Ten coaching carousel spun fast this offseason, with some major programs making bold moves to reset their trajectories. Michigan, Penn State, UCLA, and Michigan State all dove into the market, and while each landed a respected name, it’s Michigan State’s hire of Pat Fitzgerald that might end up leading the pack.
Let’s break it down - not from a headline-grabbing perspective, but from a football one. Because when you look at what Michigan State needs, and what Fitzgerald brings to the table, the fit is hard to ignore.
The New Faces of the Big Ten
First, a quick look at the shake-up. Penn State brought in Matt Campbell from Iowa State.
UCLA tapped Bob Chesney, who made his name at James Madison. Michigan made a splash by landing Kyle Whittingham, fresh off his tenure at Utah.
And then there’s Michigan State, who turned to a familiar face in Big Ten circles: former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Each hire has its merits. Campbell has long been a name floated for bigger jobs, and Chesney’s rise through the ranks has been impressive.
Whittingham, meanwhile, is about as steady and proven as they come. But Fitzgerald?
He might be the one who fits his new program like a glove.
Why Fitzgerald Works at Michigan State
Let’s start with identity. Michigan State football has always been about toughness, resilience, and grit.
It’s a blue-collar program that thrives when it leans into that edge - think Mark Dantonio’s best teams, built on defense, discipline, and development. Fitzgerald, a former All-American linebacker himself, embodies that same ethos.
He’s not just a culture fit; he’s a football fit.
Fitzgerald spent nearly two decades at Northwestern, winning more than most thought possible at a program with limited resources and high academic standards. He proved he can recruit in the Midwest, develop talent, and compete with the best - even if the deck isn’t always stacked in his favor. That’s exactly the kind of experience Michigan State needs as it looks to reestablish itself in a new-look Big Ten that’s only getting deeper.
The Xs and Os and the Recruiting Board
Fitzgerald’s football IQ has never been in question. His teams were consistently well-prepared, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
He knows how to scheme, how to adjust, and how to get his players to buy into a system. That’s going to matter in a conference where you're facing not just Ohio State and Michigan anymore, but also the likes of Oregon and USC.
And don’t overlook the recruiting angle. Fitzgerald recruited well at Northwestern - not in terms of star rankings, but in finding players who fit his system and could be developed into Big Ten contributors. Now, with Michigan State’s resources and brand behind him, that ability to identify and mold talent could pay off in a big way.
He’s already making moves on the staff front too, reportedly bringing in high-level assistants who can hit the ground running on both sides of the ball. That’s a sign of a coach who knows what he’s doing and isn’t wasting time.
Ranking the Carousel: Who Won the Offseason?
If we’re stacking up the Big Ten coaching hires, Michigan State’s decision to go with Fitzgerald feels like the most natural and potentially impactful move of the group. Michigan’s hire of Whittingham is a strong one, no doubt - he’s a proven winner.
UCLA’s Chesney is intriguing, and Campbell brings stability to Penn State. But Fitzgerald gives Michigan State something unique: a coach who knows the conference, knows the region, and knows what it takes to build a program from the ground up.
It’s not flashy. It’s not headline-chasing. It’s just smart football.
Final Thoughts
Michigan State didn’t just hire a coach - they hired an identity. Pat Fitzgerald brings a blueprint that aligns with everything the Spartans have historically done well. If he can replicate even a portion of the success he had at Northwestern, but with more resources and a broader recruiting base, Michigan State could be a serious player in the Big Ten sooner rather than later.
In a coaching carousel full of big names and bold moves, Michigan State might’ve made the most grounded - and smartest - hire of them all.