Pat Fitzgerald did not arrive at Michigan State to manage expectations. He arrived to raise them. Speaking at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, the new Spartans coach made it clear that rebuilding Michigan State football is not about becoming respectable again. His target is much higher. 'We're going to take the green back to being Big Ten champions,' Fitzgerald said. 'And we're gonna do it with everybody. And we need everybody. … We're gonna get back to playing tough, hard-nosed Spartan football that's going to make our fan base and Spartan Nation proud. Expectations are to win the Big Ten championship, full stop. And if a head coach walks up here and doesn't say that, then I'd want to check their pulse.' That is the kind of quote that gets attention in East Lansing. Now comes the harder part. Turning it into something real.
Michigan State has not won the Big Ten since 2015, when Mark Dantonio's team reached the College Football Playoff. Since Dantonio retired after the 2019 season, the Spartans have cycled through coaches, rebuilt rosters and watched stability disappear. Michigan State has posted a 33-38 record during that stretch and has missed a bowl game in five of the past six seasons. Fitzgerald is not pretending the climb will be easy. He also refuses to lower the ceiling. 'I expect to win every game,' Fitzgerald said. 'If we don't, I'm pissed.' That line sounds a lot like the edge Michigan State carried during its best years under Dantonio. The Spartans were physical, stubborn and comfortable playing with a point to prove. Fitzgerald appears determined to bring that identity back.
A Controversial Exit and a Reckoning
Dantonio's Blueprint Is Guiding the Rebuild Fitzgerald has repeatedly pointed to Dantonio as a model for what Michigan State should become again. He brought the former Spartans coach in to speak with the team during spring practice and has leaned on Dantonio's knowledge while shaping the program. Fitzgerald believes Michigan State must be built through the offensive and defensive lines, with toughness serving as more than a talking point. That approach is not accidental. 'So I think you could figure out the method to my madness pretty clearly,' Fitzgerald said. 'It's not too long ago that we were in the Final Four in basketball and football (in the same year). And we've got a Final Four-level basketball program; we need to get our football program back there. And I would be the dumbest guy in the world not to tap into (Dantonio's) knowledge. So if he's willing to give it, I'm willing to take it. And he's been willing to give it whenever we ask, and I'm thankful for that.' Michigan State fans should appreciate that Fitzgerald understands what worked before. The Spartans do not need a complete reinvention. They need a modern version of the formula that once made them one of the toughest programs in the Big Ten.
Michigan State Still Faces a Steep Climb Belief alone will not solve every problem. Michigan State returns just 46% of its production from last season and enters another year with significant roster turnover. Preseason projections place the Spartans near the bottom of the Big Ten, with several models expecting only four or five wins. Fitzgerald's response to those predictions was simple. 'I can read,' he said. 'Yeah, it's OK. It's not my first rodeo. Somebody's gotta be placed where they were placed. It's fine. We'll roll the ball out and go play.' That is the proper tone for a coach taking over a program with something to prove. No excuses. No public panic. No attempt to win the press conference with complaints about rankings. Just play.
A Program Carrying More Than One Chip Fitzgerald is also rebuilding his own coaching career after spending three years away from college football. When asked whether he and Michigan State are operating with a chip on their shoulders, Fitzgerald pushed the point even further. 'I wouldn't say I have a chip on my shoulder. I wouldn't say our program has a chip on our shoulder,' he said. 'I'd say we have a bag of chips on our shoulder. I'll leave it at that.' Michigan State fans know that feeling. The Spartans have spent years hearing that their best days are behind them. Fitzgerald is betting that frustration can become fuel, especially if the roster buys into the demanding culture he is trying to build.
Fitzgerald took over as head coach of Michigan State on Dec. 1, replacing Jonathan Smith. The task ahead is clear: revitalize a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2021. Fitzgerald has no illusions about the difficulty of the Big Ten landscape. He stressed that entering the conference without a championship mindset is simply unacceptable. 'If any coach stood on this stage and said differently, I would want to check their pulse,' he declared.
When questioned about whether he or his team carries a chip on their shoulder, Fitzgerald offered a clever twist on the phrase. 'I wouldn’t say I have a chip on my shoulder,' he said. I’d say we have a bag of chips on our shoulder.' The comment ended with a light-hearted tone, reflecting his determination without feeding into negativity.
Fitzgerald expressed excitement about the upcoming season and his new role in East Lansing. He’s ready to take advantage of the strong home-field support. 'Never lived that,' he said. 'It’s going to be cool.' Yet, his focus remains firmly on the field. He emphasized how he missed the intense competition, the personal growth of players, and the moments when young men transform into fathers, husbands, and leaders. 'That’s why I’m here,' he said, encapsulating his passion for the game.
Despite the challenges ahead, Fitzgerald is optimistic about Michigan State’s potential. He pointed to the university’s resources, the dedication of its coaching staff, and the fervent support of its fans. He believes winning championships is within reach. 'We have one of the best fan bases in all of sport,' he said. 'They want us to be there and they are going to be there to support us.'
The season promises to bring its share of media attention. Fitzgerald predicted the October 17 matchup against Northwestern will be 'way overhyped in the media.' He acknowledged the challenges that come with such hype but said he’s willing to bear that burden. His priority is to focus on his players and his team, ensuring that the noise doesn’t drown out the real goal: victory. That, he said, is what matters most.
As Fitzgerald steps into his new role, he carries both the lessons from his past and the confidence of a man ready to prove himself again. The Big Ten stage is once again his, and he’s eager to leave his mark.