US EditionMichigan State Hires New Football Coach, and 4 Other Major Stories
Pat Fitzgerald returns to coaching after a hazing scandal and legal battles to lead Michigan State and rebuild its struggling football program, which went 4-8 last season.
- On Monday, Michigan State announced it hired former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald in East Lansing, a day after firing Jonathan Smith following a 4-8 season capped by a 38-28 win over Maryland.
- Jonathan Smith's dismissal followed a longer trend in which the program struggled since Mark Dantonio retired, with Michigan State football program facing offensive line and run game issues this season.
- Fitzgerald denied wrongdoing and sued Northwestern University for $130 million, settling the lawsuit earlier this year after two seasons off, compiling a 110-101 record in 17 seasons.
- Michigan State athletic director J Batt made the hire, calling Fitzgerald an excellent fit, while top players Nick Marsh and Makhi Frazier entered the transfer portal this week, signaling roster churn.
- Tasked with restoring the program, Pat Fitzgerald faces cultural and competitive work while Michigan State donors must fund better offensive and defensive trenches; he is due more than $30 million under contract.
63 Articles
63 Articles
The Macomb Daily
Pat Fitzgerald: ‘My job’ to turn MSU football into national contender
EAST LANSING — The doctor is in. No, Pat Fitzgerald doesn’t have a medical degree, but Michigan State’s new football coach says he’s gotten a Ph.D. in the ways of modern college football since Northwestern fired him in 2023. For a Michigan State football program desperate for him to turn things around, he made it clear in his first public comments that he has a plan to turn around one of the Big Ten’s maligned programs. Related Articles …
Helena Independent Record
Pat Fitzgerald: 'My job' to turn Michigan State football into national contender
EAST LANSING, Mich. — The doctor is in. No, Pat Fitzgerald doesn’t have a medical degree, but Michigan State’s new football coach says he’s gotten a Ph.D. in the ways of modern college football since Northwestern fired him in 2023.…
Michigan State hires Fitzgerald with 5-year, $30 million contract after he talked with 8 schools
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Pat Fitzgerald spoke with eight schools about potentially coaching their football teams, looking for the best place to resume his career, before choosing Michigan State.
New coach Pat Fitzgerald ready for 'new era' of MSU football
Michigan State University has named Pat Fitzgerald as the 27th head football coach in school history, marking a new chapter for the Spartans after firing Jonathan Smith following a disappointing 4-8 season. On Tuesday, MSU introduced Pat Fitzgerald to fans and the media after announcing the new coach's hiring on Monday. Fitzgerald returns to the college coaching ranks after spending the last two years coaching high school football. Fitzgerald's …
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