Pat Fitzgerald’s Strategic Start at MSU: Building for Big Ten Success

Three weeks into Pat Fitzgerald’s tenure as Michigan State University’s head football coach, the mood in East Lansing is tinged with cautious optimism and a sense of renewal. Fitzgerald, who arrived at MSU in December 2025 following 17 years and 110 wins at Northwestern, was tasked with revitalizing a program that had suffered two consecutive bowl-less seasons under Jonathan Smith. His first moves—decisive, strategic, and people-focused—suggest a coach intent on rebuilding from the ground up, while keeping one eye firmly on the future.

Perhaps the most headline-grabbing development thus far has been Fitzgerald’s staff hires. The acquisition of LeVar Woods as special teams coordinator sent ripples through the college football community. Woods, a fixture at Iowa for years, comes with a reputation for engineering top-tier special teams units. According to Sports Illustrated and CBS’s Tom Fornelli, Iowa’s special teams have led the nation in expected points added (EPA) since 2016—while MSU has languished near the bottom. Fitzgerald’s ability to lure Woods away from his alma mater was not just a coup in terms of coaching talent; it signaled MSU’s intent to compete on every front.

Building a winning culture isn’t just about new faces—it’s about honoring the past and leveraging institutional memory. Fitzgerald’s move to bring back Max Bullough, one of MSU’s legendary linebackers, as a coach is a nod to both tradition and smarts. Bullough, who left a position at Notre Dame to return home, is seen as a rising star in coaching circles. His deep roots and quick ascent—from graduate assistant to positional coach and now potentially co-defensive coordinator—reflect Fitzgerald’s commitment to nurturing internal talent and fostering loyalty.

Retention has also been a priority. Two names stand out: quarterback Alessio Milivojevic and linebacker Jordan Hall. Milivojevic, who impressed after earning the starting role late in the 2025 season, is viewed as the Spartans’ quarterback of the future. Hall, a team captain and emotional anchor during a turbulent 4-8 campaign, represents the resilience and leadership Fitzgerald hopes to amplify. Keeping these key players on board wasn’t just administrative—it was a statement about continuity and belief in the program’s core.

Recruiting, the lifeblood of any college football program, is where Fitzgerald is staking his reputation for the long run. Offers to the 2027 class have been flying out, with Fitzgerald working to build relationships across Michigan and the Midwest. The recruitment of Myles Smith—a top in-state edge rusher ranked No. 186 nationally and No. 4 in Michigan—stands out. Smith, who recently received an offer from Fitzgerald, is planning to visit campus for junior day next month. With about a dozen offers already, including from Michigan and Illinois, Smith’s interest in MSU will be a barometer for Fitzgerald’s ability to win critical local recruiting battles.

Fitzgerald’s recruiting strategy is about more than numbers; it’s about narrative. By focusing on in-state stars like Smith, Dakota Guerrant, Charles Britton, Dewey Young, and Gideon Gash, he’s sending a message: Michigan State is not just looking to compete—it’s looking to reclaim its place as a destination for top homegrown talent. With Michigan also introducing a new head coach this offseason, Fitzgerald has a rare window to seize the recruiting initiative in the state.

On the field, Fitzgerald faces a pressing challenge: improving the Spartans’ pass rush. The team struggled to pressure the quarterback in 2025, a problem inherited from previous seasons. Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, backed by Athletic Director J Batt, is searching for talent to make his schemes work. One potential solution is already on the roster—Anelu Lafaele, a transfer from Wisconsin whose promising 2025 campaign was cut short by a lower-leg injury. Lafaele showed flashes of brilliance in his five games, tallying two sacks and a forced fumble. If healthy, he could be the edge-rushing force MSU so desperately needs.

Fitzgerald’s defensive staff has also been refreshed, with Winston DeLattiboudere III taking over as defensive line coach. A young, energetic former NFL player, DeLattiboudere is expected to connect well with players like Lafaele, harnessing their explosiveness and motor. Lafaele’s familiarity with Rossi’s defensive scheme means he could hit the ground running once recovered, offering continuity and upside.

Offensively, Fitzgerald is poised to add further experience to his staff. Industry sources indicate that Nick Tabacca, formerly of Wake Forest, is set to become MSU’s offensive line coach. Tabacca brings a track record of success: under his guidance, Wake Forest set multiple records for scoring and yardage, and produced several NFL-caliber linemen. His expertise in both run and pass blocking could help unlock the Spartans’ offense and support Milivojevic’s development under center.

While Fitzgerald’s first few weeks have been about foundation-laying, the stakes are clear. The Big Ten is more competitive than ever, and MSU’s $401 million donation from Greg and Dawn Williams, though not earmarked for NIL, has raised expectations for what the program can achieve with the right leadership. Fitzgerald’s blend of strategic hires, player retention, and aggressive recruiting is designed to ensure MSU doesn’t just survive the next few seasons—it thrives.

As the Fitzgerald era unfolds, the questions are as compelling as the answers: Can he turn recruiting wins into on-field success? Will his staff and player moves create the culture shift MSU needs? For now, East Lansing watches and waits—hopeful, but mindful that true transformation is measured not in weeks, but in seasons.

Based on reporting from Sports Illustrated, 247Sports, and Spartan Avenue, Fitzgerald’s start at Michigan State has been marked by clear priorities and bold decisions. The challenge ahead is converting these early moves into a sustained resurgence in the Big Ten—where intent must eventually meet results.