Pat Fitzgerald Takes the Reins at Michigan State: A Program in Transition, A Coach with a Vision
A new chapter is underway in East Lansing. Pat Fitzgerald, the longtime Northwestern head coach, has taken over at Michigan State, stepping into a program that’s been searching for stability and a return to relevance. After a tough stretch that saw the Spartans go 18-30 over the last three seasons, Fitzgerald’s arrival marks a fresh start-and a steep challenge.
Fitzgerald brings with him a 110-101 career record and a reputation for building tough, disciplined teams. He’s already begun assembling a staff that reflects his vision, including a familiar face in Max Bullough. The former Notre Dame linebackers coach and Michigan State alum is back home, now serving as co-defensive coordinator.
Let’s break down what Fitzgerald is inheriting and what lies ahead in his first year at the helm.
The State of the Spartans
Michigan State hasn’t posted a winning season since 2021, when they went 11-2 under Mel Tucker. Since then, it’s been a slide-culminating in a 4-8 finish last season and a 1-8 mark in Big Ten play.
The Spartans are hoping Fitzgerald can stop the skid, but the road ahead won’t be easy. The 2026 schedule includes road games at Notre Dame, Oregon, Illinois, and archrival Michigan.
That’s a gauntlet for any coach, let alone one in his first year with a new roster.
Offensive Outlook: Familiar Faces, New Firepower
Returning Starters
- QB Alessio Milivojevic
- RB Brandon Tullis
- WR Chrishon McCray
- LT Rustin Young
- RG Rakeem Johnson
- RT Connor Moore
Key Departures
- QB Aiden Chiles (Transfer - Northwestern)
- RB Makhi Frazier (Transfer - Ole Miss)
- WR Nick Marsh (Transfer - Indiana)
- WR Omari Kelly
- TE Jack Velling
- LG Caleb Carter
- C Matt Gulbin
The Spartans were hit hard by the transfer portal-losing 44 players overall-but there’s still a core of experience returning on offense. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic took over late in the season and showed promise.
He completed 63.1% of his passes for 1,267 yards, 10 touchdowns, and just 3 interceptions, including a season-ending win over Maryland. He’s expected to be the guy under center again in 2026.
Running back Brandon Tullis returns after a solid campaign, posting 301 yards on 69 carries (4.4 YPC) with four touchdowns. He was the team’s third-leading rusher last season and brings a physical presence to the backfield.
Wide receiver Chrishon McCray is the lone returner in a room that saw major turnover. He averaged nearly 14 yards per catch and found the end zone three times. Up front, Michigan State retains three offensive line starters, including bookend tackles in Rustin Young and Connor Moore-giving them a solid foundation to build on.
Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan will have some returning pieces to work with, but the real intrigue lies in the transfer additions.
New Faces on Offense: Transfer Talent Arrives
Top Incoming Transfers
- RB Cam Edwards (UConn)
- WR KK Smith (Notre Dame)
- LT Ben Murawski (UConn)
- LG Nick Sharpe (South Carolina)
- C Trent Fraley (North Dakota State)
- RT Robert Wright Jr. (Georgia Southern)
Cam Edwards headlines the offensive newcomers. The former UConn back rushed for 1,240 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, averaging a blistering 5.9 yards per carry. He brings immediate explosiveness to the backfield and could form a strong 1-2 punch with Tullis.
KK Smith, a speedy receiver from Notre Dame, adds a vertical threat to a group that lost its top playmakers. His 15.4 yards per catch average shows he can stretch the field and make defenses pay deep.
The offensive line got a major boost, too. Murawski, Sharpe, Fraley, and Wright Jr. all arrive with starting experience and are expected to compete for jobs right away. With that kind of depth and versatility, Michigan State could field a completely revamped-and much more physical-front five.
Defensive Reset: Rebuilding from the Trenches Out
Returning Starters
- DT Ben Roberts
- EDGE Isaac Smith
- LB Jordan Hall
- DB Nikai Martinez
Key Departures
- DE Jalen Thompson (Transfer - Arizona State)
- DT Alex VanSumeren (Transfer - USC)
- DT Grady Kelly
- LB Wayne Matthews III
- LB Darius Snow
- NB Ade Willie (Transfer - North Carolina)
- CB Malcolm Bell
- CB Ayden West (Transfer - Minnesota)
- CB Joshua Eaton
- S Malik Spencer
- S Armorion Smith (Transfer - Toledo)
The defense took a hit-there’s no sugarcoating it. Five starters and several key depth pieces from last year’s unit are gone, many via the portal. That includes both starting safeties, multiple corners, and key contributors in the front seven.
But there are still pillars to build around. Linebacker Jordan Hall returns after leading the team with 88 tackles, adding 2.5 sacks and an interception.
He’ll be the heart of the defense. In the secondary, Nikai Martinez is back for a sixth year, bringing much-needed leadership to a group that’s been gutted.
Up front, Ben Roberts and Isaac Smith return to anchor the defensive line. Smith showed flashes last season with 26 tackles and a sack, and he’ll be counted on to generate pressure off the edge.
Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, along with Bullough, will be tasked with reshaping this unit quickly. And like the offense, the portal will play a big role in that process.
Defensive Transfers: Size, Experience, and Versatility
Michigan State added some serious size and experience to the defense through the portal.
- Lisle (SE Missouri St): A towering 6'6", 230-pound edge rusher who adds length and athleticism to the pass rush.
- Coenen (Illinois): A 6'7", 275-pound defensive lineman who brings Big Ten experience and raw power to the trenches.
- Soares Jr. (NC State): A productive linebacker who tallied 80 tackles last season and has familiarity with the staff.
- Bell (Iowa State): A versatile defensive back who notched 36 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in 2025. He brings playmaking ability and a physical edge to a secondary in need of both.
These additions won’t just fill holes-they could end up being foundational pieces for a defense in transition.
Looking Ahead
There’s no sugarcoating the challenge ahead for Pat Fitzgerald in Year 1. The schedule is brutal, the roster is in flux, and the Big Ten isn’t getting any easier. But there’s also a sense of purpose and direction that’s been missing in East Lansing.
Fitzgerald is a proven program builder. He’s walked into tough situations before and come out stronger. With a mix of returning talent, key portal additions, and a staff that knows how to develop players, there’s reason to believe Michigan State can start climbing again.
It won’t happen overnight. But the foundation is being laid-and the Fitzgerald era is officially underway.