Michigan State University has hired Pat Fitzgerald as its new head football coach, 24 hours after Jonathan Smith was dismissed. Fitzgerald, previously the head coach at Northwestern, is expected to sign a five-year deal pending approval by the MSU Board of Trustees on December 12. At Northwestern, he had a 110-101 record, 10 bowl game appearances, and two Big Ten West Division titles. Fitzgerald was involved in a hazing scandal and a wrongful termination lawsuit, which he won. MSU Vice President and Director of Athletics J Batt said, "Today marks the beginning of a new era for Michigan State Footbal," according to CBS News Detroit.
"I am honored to be named the head football coach at Michigan State University," Fitzgerald said in a statement reiterated by Mlive. He went on to express eagerness in restoring tradition and building trust within the community. Guskiewicz, MSU President, endorsed Fitzgerald as a leader who fully grasps the mission of intercollegiate athletics, encompassing "competitive excellence, academic achievement, and the holistic development of student-athletes."
Michigan State finished the season with a 4-8 record, including an eight-game losing streak, under coach Jonathan Smith. Despite a win over Maryland, Smith’s 9-15 overall record and 4-14 Big Ten record led to a coaching change, as mentioned by ESPN. The school plans to hire a new coach to lead the program.
