Breaking News: Pat Fitzgerald is the new head coach for Michigan State football! This announcement marks a significant turning point for the Spartans, and the press conference held on December 2, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET, was the moment everyone was waiting for. It's also Fitzgerald's birthday! He turned 51 years old on the day of the press conference.
The hiring was officially announced on Monday afternoon, with Fitzgerald signing a reported five-year contract, according to ESPN. In a statement released on Monday, Fitzgerald expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating, "What excited me most about this opportunity was the vision for what Michigan State can be for years to come. We will restore tradition, and I’m eager to earn the trust of our players, alumni, and fans while competing at the highest level."
Fitzgerald's resume includes 17 years leading Northwestern football, where he achieved a 110-101 record. He led the team to two Big Ten championship game appearances (2018 and 2020) and achieved 10 wins three times.
But here's where it gets controversial... Fitzgerald's departure from Northwestern came amidst controversy. He was fired before the 2023 season due to hazing within the program. This adds a layer of complexity to his new role at MSU, and it will be interesting to see how he addresses this past issue.
He is the 27th coach in MSU football history, and the fourth full-time or interim coach since Mark Dantonio's abrupt retirement in February 2020. He steps in to replace Jonathan Smith, who was fired after a 4-8 season and a 9-15 record over two years.
This move is a major decision for athletic director J Batt, who is in his first year. Batt highlighted Fitzgerald's coaching abilities and his understanding of the Big Ten, emphasizing his fit with the program's values. "Pat Fitzgerald is widely recognized as an exceptional football coach, whose teams play with extreme toughness and grit, demonstrate continual improvement and maximize potential," Batt's statement read.
It's worth noting that Fitzgerald is a College Football Hall of Famer, having played linebacker at Northwestern from 1993-96.
And this is the part most people miss... MSU is currently on a three-year probation from the NCAA and has vacated all 14 wins from 2022-24 due to infractions during Mel Tucker's tenure. This will undoubtedly influence the team's performance and reputation in the coming years.
What are your thoughts on this major coaching change? Do you think Fitzgerald is the right person to lead MSU football? Share your opinions in the comments below!
