Michigan State football has been steadily building its identity under new head coach Pat Fitzgerald, and over the last few weeks, the foundation of his coaching staff has started to take shape - especially on the defensive side of the ball. But now, Fitzgerald has reportedly made the move that fans were waiting for: he’s found his offensive coordinator.
According to multiple reports, Fitzgerald is set to hire Alabama co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan to take over the Spartans’ offense. And while Sheridan’s name may not have been at the top of every fan’s wish list, there’s no denying this hire carries some intrigue - both for what Sheridan brings to the table and what it says about the direction Fitzgerald wants to take this program.
Let’s start with what we know. Sheridan has spent the past four seasons working under Kalen DeBoer - one of the most respected offensive minds in college football - first at Washington and then at Alabama.
That kind of continuity, learning from a coach who helped engineer some of the most explosive offenses in the country in recent years, is no small thing. Sheridan started as a tight ends coach at Washington in 2022, stayed in that role for another year, and then followed DeBoer to Tuscaloosa when the opportunity arose in 2024.
At Alabama, Sheridan was named co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The Tide’s offense finished 45th nationally in total offense that season - a respectable mark given the transition and the expectations that come with coaching in the SEC.
But in 2025, things got a little more complicated. DeBoer brought in JaMarcus Shephard as another co-offensive coordinator, and Ryan Grubb took over play-calling duties.
The result? Alabama's offense slipped to 81st in total yards per game.
That’s a significant drop, and it’s fair to say the co-coordinator setup didn’t quite click.
Still, Sheridan remained a key piece of the offensive staff, particularly in his role developing quarterbacks. That showed in Alabama’s recent win over Oklahoma, where his quarterbacks room played a major role in securing a spot in the Rose Bowl. Sheridan is expected to stay with the Crimson Tide through their playoff run, but both he and Shephard (who just took the Oregon State head coaching job) are now on their way out - signaling a new chapter for all involved.
For Michigan State, this hire is about more than just scheme. It’s about identity.
Sheridan brings a Big Ten background - he played quarterback at Michigan from 2006 to 2009 - and he’s seen what elite Michigan State teams looked like during the Mark Dantonio era. That familiarity with the rivalry, the conference, and the culture adds another layer to his fit in East Lansing.
Fitzgerald, a defensive-minded coach, has already solidified much of his defensive staff. He retained Joe Rossi as defensive coordinator and James Adams as safeties coach - both holdovers from Jonathan Smith’s staff - and added Max Bullough as co-defensive coordinator, a move that’s already resonated with the Spartan faithful. He also made a splash by bringing in LeVar Woods from Iowa, one of the top special teams coaches in the country.
But this offensive coordinator hire was always going to be the centerpiece. Fitzgerald knows that if Michigan State is going to climb back into Big Ten contention, it needs to modernize and energize its offense.
Sheridan’s experience under DeBoer - from Indiana to Washington to Alabama - has given him a crash course in high-level offensive football. The hope now is that he can bring that knowledge to East Lansing and build something sustainable.
Of course, fans are hoping this is a clear upgrade from the previous offensive regimes under Jay Johnson and Brian Lindgren. The bar isn’t sky-high, but expectations are - and with the Big Ten expanding and competition only getting tougher, Michigan State needs to find its offensive identity fast.
Sheridan’s track record has some highs and lows, but the potential is there. He’s worked with quarterbacks, called plays, and learned from some of the best in the business. Now, it’s his show to run in East Lansing.
And for Fitzgerald, this hire signals a commitment to building a balanced, competitive program - one that can hold its own in the trenches and light up the scoreboard when it needs to.