Michigan State’s reset under Pat Fitzgerald isn’t just about a new face at the top. The Spartans have rebuilt the entire operation around him, and the coaching staff now looks almost nothing like the one that was in place before.
That kind of overhaul matters because so much of college football is won before anyone ever steps on the field. The players still have to execute, but the teaching, the weekly preparation and the development behind the scenes shape everything that follows. With turnover now baked into the sport, Fitzgerald had to move fast after being hired at the beginning of the year to replace Jonathan Smith, and he has done exactly that.
Now the Spartans head into the 2026 season, which opens this coming Friday, with a staff designed to help pull the program back toward consistency and toughness.
Fitzgerald, of course, is the centerpiece. He spent 17 seasons running Northwestern before his departure in 2022, and he returns to the Big Ten with a résumé built on making the most of limited resources.
He won 110 games with the Wildcats, the most in program history, added 10 bowl trips, collected five bowl wins and guided Northwestern to two Big Ten Championship Game appearances. He also won the Big Ten West twice, a clear sign he knows how to build something real in a demanding conference.
Around him, Michigan State brought in experienced hands with specific jobs to do. LeVar Woods arrives from Iowa as assistant head coach and special teams coordinator, bringing a background from a program long associated with strong special teams play. He’ll handle those units while also working closely with Fitzgerald.
There’s also an important familiar piece on defense: Joe Rossi is back as Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator. His return gives the Spartans continuity on that side of the ball, and it was believed to matter in keeping several Michigan State defenders in East Lansing. The defense had its rough stretches early last season, but by the end of the year it was starting to settle in and play some of its best football.
On offense, Nick Sheridan steps into the coordinator role with the job of getting much more out of a unit that struggled badly a year ago. Sheridan comes with Alabama experience, where he helped the Crimson Tide average 33.8 points per game in 2024.
That offense finished third in the SEC and No. 22 nationally in scoring. Michigan State does not need a fireworks show right away, but it does need clear improvement.
The rest of the staff fills in the picture with a mix of familiarity, returnees and outside experience. Max Bullough is back home at Michigan State as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach after time at Notre Dame.
James Adams returns to coach the safeties. Andrew Bindglass takes over the rush ends.
Winston DeLattiboudere III, known as Coach Deebo, joins from the Arizona Cardinals with NFL coaching experience. Courtney Hawkins coaches the wide receivers.
John McNulty works with the quarterbacks. Hank Poteat coaches the cornerbacks.
Devon Spalding handles the running backs. Nick Tabacca is the offensive line coach.
Brian Wozniak coaches the tight ends.
Tabacca’s role may end up being especially important, because the offensive line could become one of the most consequential groups on the roster. Every coach on the staff has a part in shaping what Michigan State becomes under Fitzgerald, and the expectation is straightforward: the preparation has to be better.
That’s the standard now. The Spartans finished last season 1-8 in Big Ten play, and while the players on the field carried that record, it also reflected the coaching and development around them.
Fitzgerald and his staff have been handed the responsibility of changing that. Friday will be the first test of whether this new group can get the most out of the roster in East Lansing.
In Other News...
Joe Bachie Suddenly Faces A Tough New NFL Question
Joe Bachies latest NFL stop ended in surprising fashion when the Detroit Lions moved on from the former Michigan State linebacker during roster cuts, even after he put together a strong preseason and drew praise from head coach Dan Campbell. It was a tough turn for a player who has spent six years carving out a pro career and has become used to fighting for every chance he gets.
Bachies release also came as part of a rough cutdown day for other Spartans in the league, with the Atlanta Falcons parting ways with Nate Carter and Jack Velling. Bachie still figures to have a path back somewhere, whether on an active roster or a practice squad, but the immediate question is whether another team sees enough in his work to give him the next opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Just Got A Tough Reality Check On Cutdown Day
Cutdown day brought a blunt reminder of how unforgiving the NFL can be for undrafted rookies with Michigan State ties. As teams trimmed their rosters to 53 players, every Spartans hopeful who went into camp without draft status was released, leaving Omari Kelly, Wayne Matthews, Elijah Tau-Tolliver, Malik Spencer, Jack Velling and Quindarius Dunnigan looking for their next opportunity.
For a program that had several former players trying to carve out a place at the next level, it was a rough sweep of the board all at once. The good news for Michigan State is that not every rookie storyline ended there, with draft picks Matt Gulbin and Ryan Eckley expected to make their first NFL appearances this fall, giving the Spartans at least a couple of fresh pro footholds to follow once the season begins. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan States New-Look Offense Faces Its First Real Test
Michigan State heads into 2026 with a much different look, and the opener against Toledo will offer the first real glimpse of how quickly the new roster and coaching staff can settle in. The Spartans have spent the offseason reshaping both sides of the ball, but the early attention is centered on an offense that has to establish rhythm fast if this reset is going to feel legitimate.
Alessio Milivojevic is among the players drawing the most interest as the season begins, with the quarterback position carrying plenty of intrigue in a fresh system. Cam Edwards also figures to be part of the conversation right away, especially if Michigan State wants to lean on the ground game and keep things simple in week one while the new pieces sort themselves out. [Read more 🡒]