In a whirlwind 24-hour stretch that felt more like an offseason saga than a single day in college football, Michigan State managed to win a game, part ways with head coach Jonathan Smith, and hire a new leader in former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald. Yes, all in one day. And if it feels like that escalated quickly - well, it did.
Now, the dust is starting to settle, and the conversation is shifting from “What just happened?” to “What’s next?” And right now, what’s next is all about Fitzgerald - what kind of program he’s going to build in East Lansing, and how he’s going to win over a fan base that’s seen its fair share of highs, lows, and everything in between.
Fitzgerald steps into a job that’s as demanding as it is storied. Michigan State fans still carry the blueprint of the Mark Dantonio era in their minds - hard-nosed football, elite defenses, and that unmistakable “Spartan Dawg” identity that made East Lansing one of the toughest places to play in the Big Ten. Fitzgerald, known for his own tough, defense-first mentality at Northwestern, feels like a natural fit to revive that culture.
But let’s be honest - this isn’t 2013. The college football landscape has changed dramatically with the rise of NIL and the transfer portal, and not everyone is convinced Fitzgerald is ready to navigate that new reality.
Some fans are fully on board, excited to see a proven Big Ten coach take the reins. Others are more cautious, waiting to see how Fitzgerald adapts to the modern game.
And that’s where his next move becomes critical.
If Fitzgerald wants to hit the ground running and win over the skeptics before spring ball even starts, his first big decision - hiring a defensive coordinator - could be the one that sets the tone for his entire tenure.
Enter Max Bullough.
Now, if you’ve followed Michigan State football over the past decade, you know the name. Bullough was the heart and soul of those dominant Dantonio defenses, a true Spartan through and through. He helped lead the charge back to the Rose Bowl after a two-decade drought and embodied everything that “Spartan Dawg” football was about.
Today, Bullough is making a name for himself on the coaching side, currently serving as the linebackers coach at Notre Dame. He’s been climbing the ranks quickly in South Bend, and there’s already been chatter about him being ready for a defensive coordinator role sooner rather than later.
So why not bring him back to where it all started?
The idea of Fitzgerald pairing his own defensive pedigree with a rising star like Bullough - someone who not only understands the Spartan identity but helped define it - almost feels too perfect. It would send a clear message: this isn’t just about turning the page, it’s about getting back to what made Michigan State great in the first place.
And for fans who are still unsure about the Fitzgerald hire? Bringing Bullough home could be the olive branch that unites the base.
It’s the kind of move that would instantly resonate - not just because of nostalgia, but because it makes football sense. Bullough knows how to build a defense.
He knows what it takes to win in East Lansing. And he knows what that “Spartan Dawg” mentality really means.
Fitzgerald has a chance here - not just to start his tenure on the right foot, but to re-establish the identity that’s been missing in recent years. A Bullough hire wouldn’t just be a sentimental choice. It would be a strategic one.
And in this new era of college football, where tradition and innovation have to coexist, that blend of old-school toughness and fresh coaching energy might be exactly what Michigan State needs.