Michigan State Targets Pat Fitzgerald as New Head Coach

Michigan State is looking for a fresh start after a tough season. The school is reportedly close to hiring Pat Fitzgerald, the former Northwestern head coach, to replace Jonathan Smith. Sources say a deal could be finalized soon.

This comes after a disappointing year under Smith. The Spartans lost eight of their last nine games and finished 4-8, with just one Big Ten win over Maryland. Smith’s two-year record at MSU was 9-15 overall and 4-14 in the conference, far below expectations.

Athletic Director J Batt gave the reasoning of why Smith was fired. Batt said the 2025 football season has not met our collective expectations of the Michigan State Football. Although that is not entirely the responsibility of Jonathan Smith, it has been time to change the coaching role to provide a new direction of the program.

Pat Fitzgerald is well-known in the Big Ten. He coached Northwestern for 17 seasons, going 110-101. He led the Wildcats to two Big Ten West titles, 10 bowl games, and five AP Top 25 finishes. MSU hopes his experience can bring back the stability the team had under Mark Dantonio’s 13-year run.

The hiring isn’t without controversy. Pat Fitzgerald was fired by Northwestern in 2023 amid hazing allegations. He denied the claims and later sued the school for $130 million, saying he was wrongfully fired and his reputation was damaged. The two sides reached a settlement in August, but the case is still scheduled for trial this month.

Even with the challenges, Pat Fitzgerald has a strong football background. As a player, he won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award, and was twice named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

Michigan State believes Fitzgerald’s mix of coaching experience and playing success can help rebuild the program. With a reported $30 million contract on the table, the Spartans are betting big on his ability to turn things around.

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