Fitzgerald Era Begins at MSU

Michigan State football kicks off the 2026 season under new head coach Pat Fitzgerald, marking the third coaching change since Mark Dantonio’s retirement in 2019. Fitzgerald brings a fresh offensive philosophy, hinted at by his hiring of Nick Sheridan—a former Kalen DeBoer assistant—suggesting a more downfield passing attack. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, who Fitzgerald coached briefly in high school, steps into the spotlight after leading the team to their only Big Ten win last season. Defensively, Joe Rossi returns as coordinator, a long-sought move by Fitzgerald, while Max Bullough joins as linebacker coach. The Spartans’ linebacker corps is poised to be a strength, returning key players and adding transfers. While depth concerns linger at defensive tackle and wide receiver, Fitzgerald’s staff is aggressively filling gaps through transfers and developing young talent. The 2026 season will be a test of how well these new pieces gel under Fitzgerald’s evolving vision. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/a80b4be91b7de66f