When Michigan State brought in Pat Fitzgerald to take over the program, it was clear the Spartans were making a statement: defense is back on the menu in East Lansing. Fitzgerald, a two-time All-American linebacker and longtime face of defensive toughness at Northwestern, wasted no time putting his stamp on that side of the ball.
His first major move? Locking in his defensive leadership.
And rather than starting from scratch, Fitzgerald made a calculated choice-retaining Joe Rossi as defensive coordinator and bringing in Max Bullough as co-defensive coordinator. It’s a move that raised a few eyebrows among fans, especially those who were hoping for a clean break from the previous regime under Jonathan Smith.
But Fitzgerald isn’t second-guessing the decision. In fact, he’s all in.
After the hire was officially announced, Fitzgerald took to social media to praise Rossi, calling him “one of the best defensive minds in the game.” That’s not just coach-speak.
Coming from Fitzgerald-a guy who’s built his entire football identity around tough, disciplined defense-that’s a serious endorsement.
Now, let’s talk about why this might actually work.
Yes, the numbers under Rossi the past two seasons weren’t exactly elite. Michigan State finished 39th in total defense in 2024, then slipped to 69th in 2025, according to TeamRankings.
That kind of drop-off doesn’t inspire confidence at first glance. But context matters.
Injuries piled up, and the defensive roster was thin-both in depth and top-end talent. It’s hard to call plays when your personnel can’t execute them at a Big Ten level.
That’s where Fitzgerald comes in.
He’s not just a defensive mind-he’s a culture builder. At Northwestern, he consistently fielded gritty, overachieving defenses, even when the talent didn’t always jump off the page.
He knows how to get the most out of his players, and he’s surrounding himself with coaches who share that philosophy. James Adams and Max Bullough both bring a no-nonsense, high-energy approach that should resonate with this group.
Bullough, in particular, is a name that carries weight in Spartan country. A former Michigan State linebacker and captain, he knows what it means to wear the green and white.
His presence on the staff isn’t just symbolic-it’s strategic. He brings intensity, leadership, and a deep understanding of what it takes to thrive in this program.
And don’t overlook Rossi’s own fire. Late in the 2025 season, when he moved back down to the sidelines, there was a noticeable uptick in energy from the defense. He’s not just a film-room guy-he connects with players in the heat of the moment, and that matters.
So while the numbers from the past two seasons might give fans pause, the foundation for a turnaround is already being laid. With Fitzgerald leading the charge, and a defensive staff that’s aligned in both mindset and mission, Michigan State is poised to bring back the kind of physical, aggressive defense that once defined the program.
There’s still work to do, no question. Recruiting has to improve, depth needs to be built, and the unit has to stay healthy. But if there’s one thing Fitzgerald has proven time and again, it’s that he knows how to coach defense-and more importantly, how to build a defensive identity.
This isn’t just about X’s and O’s. It’s about culture, toughness, and belief. And with Fitzgerald at the helm, the Spartans are getting back to their roots.