Photo by: Matthew Mitchell/MSU Athletic Communications
Pat Fitzgerald Announces First Coaching Hires on Spartan Staff
12/18/2025 2:26:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State head football coach Pat Fitzgerald has announced the first hirings to his coaching and support staff.
Joe Rossi (Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator) and James Adams (safeties) will return to the defensive coaching staff, while Max Bullough (co-defensive coordinator/linebackers) and Joel Welsh (head football strength and conditioning coach) are the first new additions to the staff.
New Staff Bios:
Max Bullough – Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
Former Spartan All-Big Ten linebacker Max Bullough returns to East Lansing as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
"Max Bullough embodies Spartan toughness," said Fitzgerald. "I coached against him when he led some of the best defenses in school history at Michigan State under Mark Dantonio, and he has continued to showcase his football knowledge by coaching at some of the best programs in the country after his NFL playing career. He will undoubtedly inspire our players to play with maximum effort. I'm excited to start working with Max and we welcome him back to East Lansing."
Bullough helped coach one of the best defenses in the nation the past three seasons (2023-25) at Notre Dame as the Fighting Irish compiled a 34-7 record and reached the National Championship in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff against Ohio State. He arrived to South Bend as a defensive graduate assistant in 2023 and was promoted to the full-time staff as linebackers coach beginning in 2024.
During Notre Dame's run to the national title game last season, Bullough mentored Jack Kiser, a Campbell Trophy finalist who led the team with 90 tackles and was selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by Jacksonville. UND finished the 2024 season ranked No. 1 in the nation with 33 turnovers gained and also No. 4 in scoring defense (15.5 ppg) and No. 11 in total defense (307.4 ypg). This past season, Notre Dame finished No. 11 in the FBS in rushing defense (99.3 ypg), No. 13 in scoring defense (17.6 ppg) and No. 23 in total defense (312.7 ypg). As a graduate assistant in 2023, Bullough coached two NFL Draft picks in Marist Liufau (third round, Cowboys) and JD Bertrand (fifth round, Falcons).
Prior to his time at Notre Dame, Bullough coached for three seasons (2020-22) as a defensive graduate assistant at Alabama under Hall of Fame Coach Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide recorded a 37-4 record while Bullough was working in Tuscaloosa, including two CFP title game appearances (2020, 2021) and a National Championship in 2020. Bullough coached several All-SEC linebackers at Alabama, headlined by Will Anderson, a two-time All-American and first-round NFL Draft pick by the Texans who won the Lombardi Award, Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy and Lott IMPACT Trophy as a senior in 2022.
Bullough began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Cincinnati in 2019.
A third-generation Spartan, Bullough joins a long family history of coaching and playing at Michigan State. His grandfather, Hank, spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach under College Football Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty (1959-69) and later one season under George Perles in 1994. Hank, who was also a three-year letterwinner from 1952-54, was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013. Max's father, Shane, played linebacker at Michigan State from 1983-86 and was a first-team All-Big Ten honoree and team captain as a senior. Max's two younger brothers, Riley (2013-16) and Byron (2015-18), also played linebacker for the Spartans. In addition, his uncles Chuck Bullough (linebacker, 1988-91) and Bobby Morse (running back, 1983-86) were Spartan football letterwinners, and Chuck spent two seasons on Mark Dantonio's staff as a defensive ends coach in 2018-19.
A two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection by the league's head coaches (2012, 2013), Bullough ranked among the team leaders in tackles (third with 76), quarterback hurries (tied for second with 10) and tackles for loss (third with 9.5) on Michigan State's Big Ten Championship team in 2013 as the Spartans ranked No. 2 in the FBS in total defense and rushing defense and No. 3 in scoring defense. He was also named one of 20 quarterfinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and earned All-America honors from Phil Steele (second team), The Associated Press (third team) and Lindy's (third team).
Bullough led the Spartans in tackles as a sophomore (89 in 2011) and junior (career-high 111 in 2012) and was voted a team captain twice by his teammates.
The Traverse City, Michigan, native recorded 299 career tackles in 53 games, including 40 consecutive starts at middle linebacker. He ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in tackles for loss (15th with 30.5 TFLs for 103 yards) and tackles (19th with 299). Bullough posted double-figure tackles seven times during his career, and also was credited with 11 passes defended (three interceptions, eight pass break-ups) and four forced fumbles.
Bullough is one of only nine players in program history to earn multiple Academic All-America honors. The finance major, who posted a 3.56 grade-point average and graduated in 2014, garnered first-team honors in 2013 after landing on the second team in 2012. He was also a National Football Foundation Campbell Trophy finalist in 2013.
Following his collegiate career at Michigan State, Bullough spent three seasons in the NFL with the Houston Texans, playing in 30 games from 2014-16.
THE BULLOUGH FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Defensive graduate assistant at Cincinnati (2019)
Defensive graduate assistant at Alabama (2020-22)
Defensive graduate assistant at Notre Dame (2023)
Linebackers coach at Notre Dame (2024)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
College: Four-year letterwinner as a linebacker at Michigan State (2010-13)
Professional: Spent three seasons with the Houston Texans (2014-16)
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:
Coach:
2019 Birmingham Bowl (Cincinnati)
2020 Rose Bowl/CFP Semifinal (Alabama)
2020 CFP National Championship Game (Alabama)
2021 Cotton Bowl/CFP Semifinal (Alabama)
2021 CFP National Championship (Alabama)
2022 Sugar Bowl (Alabama)
2023 Sun Bowl (Notre Dame)
2025 Sugar Bowl/CFP Quarterfinal (Notre Dame)
2025 Orange Bowl/CFP Semifinal (Notre Dame)
2025 CFP National Championship (Notre Dame)
Joel Welsh – Head Football Strength and Conditioning Coach
A veteran strength and conditioning coach of more than 15 years, Joel Welsh was the Director of Strength and Conditioning overseeing football at Central Michigan from 2019-24 before getting promoted to Associate Athletic Director for Sport Performance at CMU in 2025. In his new role at CMU this past year, he collaborated with all performance units, including strength and conditioning, sports medicine, nutrition, mental health and sports science.
"Our program will be modeled on player development, and it became abundantly clear after researching and talking with coaches in the profession that Joel was the right person to lead us in strength and conditioning," said Fitzgerald. "With his background, he has the pedigree and plan that will give our players the best opportunity to succeed on Saturdays."
Welsh previously led the strength and conditioning program for three years (2017-19) at Delaware State, working with football, men's basketball, women's volleyball, track and field, equestrian and women's golf. He was recognized by the Division of Student Affairs in 2018 with the Quiet Champion Award and was honored in 2017 with the Athletic Director's Choice Award as the employee of the year.
A native of Bronx, New York, Welsh's first full-time position was at Iowa from 2012-16 as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. During his time in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes reached four bowl games, including the 2016 Rose Bowl.
Welsh's career began as a strength and conditioning coordinator at Queens College, followed by an internship at Fordham and a graduate assistant position at Springfield (Mass.) College from 2010-12.
He graduated with a bachelor's degree in family nutrition and exercise science from Queens College in 2010, and earned his master's degree in strength and conditioning from Springfield College in 2012.
Welsh is certified by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association and is a USA Weightlifting – Level 1 Sports Performance Coach.
Welsh and his wife, Mara, have two sons, Roman and Maddox, and a daughter, Raina.
THE WELSH FILE
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
Strength and conditioning coordinator at Queens College (N.Y.) (2008)
Strength and conditioning intern at Fordham (2010)
Graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach, Springfield College (Mass.) (2010-12)
Assistant strength and conditioning coach at Iowa (2012-16)
Head strength and conditioning coach at Delaware State (2017-19)
Director of strength and conditioning at Central Michigan (2019-24)
Associate Athletic Director for Sport Performance at Central Michigan (2025)
Returning hire snapshot bios:
Joe Rossi – Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator
A three-time nominee for the Broyles Award, Joe Rossi has been Michigan State's defensive coordinator since 2024. Highly respected as one of the top defensive coaches in the country, Rossi has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience and has been on the sidelines for seven bowl games.
"I've always had respect for Coach Rossi's defenses," said Fitzgerald. "We used to study them when he was at Minnesota and we went against him every year. After talking with the players here at Michigan State, they also hold him in high regard. I'm looking forward to him leading our defense."
During his first season at MSU in 2024, Rossi was nominated for the Broyles Award for the third time of his career after the Spartans ranked 32nd in the FBS in rushing defense (125.1 ypg), 34th in total defense (332.0 ypg) and 46th in pass defense (206.9 ypg). This past fall, both of MSU's starting linebackers, Jordan Hall and Wayne Matthews III, earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition as the duo ranked No. 1 and No. 2 on the team in tackles, respectively.
Before arriving to Michigan State, Rossi spent six seasons (2018-23) at Minnesota, where he helped build the Gophers into one of the best defenses in the Big Ten as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Minnesota's defense ranked among the top 10 in the FBS in total defense three times (No. 3 in 2021, No. 8 in 2022, No. 10 in 2019) and scoring defense twice (No. 4 in 2022, No. 6 in 2021) under Rossi's direction. He coached 30 All-Big Ten honorees, two first-team All-Americans and 11 NFL Draft picks during his time in Minneapolis while getting nominated for the Broyles Award twice.
James Adams – Safeties
James Adams returns for his second season at Michigan State as the safeties coach after joining the Spartan staff in January 2025. Adams has coached defensive backs for the past 17 seasons since beginning his coaching career in 2009 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in Wake Forest.
"James Adams has been on my list of coaches I've wanted to get to know, and after talking with him, he represents everything you would want for someone on your staff," said Fitzgerald. "He's a great leader of men, a positive teacher, and develops meaningful relationships with his players."
Adams spent three seasons (2022-24) at Wake Forest as the safeties coach and helped two Demon Deacons get selected in the 2024 NFL Draft (Malik Mustapha, fourth round, 49ers; Sanoussi Kane, seventh round, Ravens). In 2024, Adams mentored safety Nick Anderson, who led the ACC with 122 tackles and had two interceptions to earn third-team All-ACC honors.
Prior to getting drafted, Mustapha garnered second-team All-ACC honors in 2023 along with a Senior Bowl invite after collecting 80 tackles. He started in 12 of his 16 games for the 49ers during his rookie season in 2024 with 72 tackles, five passes defended and one interception. Kane played in 15 games for the AFC North Champion Ravens.
Overall, his players have earned all-conference honors on six occasions. Adams has also coached at Purdue (2021), Navy (2020), Western Michigan (2019), Charlotte (2011-17) and Wofford (2010).
Joe Rossi (Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator) and James Adams (safeties) will return to the defensive coaching staff, while Max Bullough (co-defensive coordinator/linebackers) and Joel Welsh (head football strength and conditioning coach) are the first new additions to the staff.
New Staff Bios:
Max Bullough – Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
Former Spartan All-Big Ten linebacker Max Bullough returns to East Lansing as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
"Max Bullough embodies Spartan toughness," said Fitzgerald. "I coached against him when he led some of the best defenses in school history at Michigan State under Mark Dantonio, and he has continued to showcase his football knowledge by coaching at some of the best programs in the country after his NFL playing career. He will undoubtedly inspire our players to play with maximum effort. I'm excited to start working with Max and we welcome him back to East Lansing."
Bullough helped coach one of the best defenses in the nation the past three seasons (2023-25) at Notre Dame as the Fighting Irish compiled a 34-7 record and reached the National Championship in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff against Ohio State. He arrived to South Bend as a defensive graduate assistant in 2023 and was promoted to the full-time staff as linebackers coach beginning in 2024.
During Notre Dame's run to the national title game last season, Bullough mentored Jack Kiser, a Campbell Trophy finalist who led the team with 90 tackles and was selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by Jacksonville. UND finished the 2024 season ranked No. 1 in the nation with 33 turnovers gained and also No. 4 in scoring defense (15.5 ppg) and No. 11 in total defense (307.4 ypg). This past season, Notre Dame finished No. 11 in the FBS in rushing defense (99.3 ypg), No. 13 in scoring defense (17.6 ppg) and No. 23 in total defense (312.7 ypg). As a graduate assistant in 2023, Bullough coached two NFL Draft picks in Marist Liufau (third round, Cowboys) and JD Bertrand (fifth round, Falcons).
Prior to his time at Notre Dame, Bullough coached for three seasons (2020-22) as a defensive graduate assistant at Alabama under Hall of Fame Coach Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide recorded a 37-4 record while Bullough was working in Tuscaloosa, including two CFP title game appearances (2020, 2021) and a National Championship in 2020. Bullough coached several All-SEC linebackers at Alabama, headlined by Will Anderson, a two-time All-American and first-round NFL Draft pick by the Texans who won the Lombardi Award, Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy and Lott IMPACT Trophy as a senior in 2022.
Bullough began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Cincinnati in 2019.
A third-generation Spartan, Bullough joins a long family history of coaching and playing at Michigan State. His grandfather, Hank, spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach under College Football Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty (1959-69) and later one season under George Perles in 1994. Hank, who was also a three-year letterwinner from 1952-54, was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013. Max's father, Shane, played linebacker at Michigan State from 1983-86 and was a first-team All-Big Ten honoree and team captain as a senior. Max's two younger brothers, Riley (2013-16) and Byron (2015-18), also played linebacker for the Spartans. In addition, his uncles Chuck Bullough (linebacker, 1988-91) and Bobby Morse (running back, 1983-86) were Spartan football letterwinners, and Chuck spent two seasons on Mark Dantonio's staff as a defensive ends coach in 2018-19.
A two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection by the league's head coaches (2012, 2013), Bullough ranked among the team leaders in tackles (third with 76), quarterback hurries (tied for second with 10) and tackles for loss (third with 9.5) on Michigan State's Big Ten Championship team in 2013 as the Spartans ranked No. 2 in the FBS in total defense and rushing defense and No. 3 in scoring defense. He was also named one of 20 quarterfinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and earned All-America honors from Phil Steele (second team), The Associated Press (third team) and Lindy's (third team).
Bullough led the Spartans in tackles as a sophomore (89 in 2011) and junior (career-high 111 in 2012) and was voted a team captain twice by his teammates.
The Traverse City, Michigan, native recorded 299 career tackles in 53 games, including 40 consecutive starts at middle linebacker. He ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in tackles for loss (15th with 30.5 TFLs for 103 yards) and tackles (19th with 299). Bullough posted double-figure tackles seven times during his career, and also was credited with 11 passes defended (three interceptions, eight pass break-ups) and four forced fumbles.
Bullough is one of only nine players in program history to earn multiple Academic All-America honors. The finance major, who posted a 3.56 grade-point average and graduated in 2014, garnered first-team honors in 2013 after landing on the second team in 2012. He was also a National Football Foundation Campbell Trophy finalist in 2013.
Following his collegiate career at Michigan State, Bullough spent three seasons in the NFL with the Houston Texans, playing in 30 games from 2014-16.
THE BULLOUGH FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Defensive graduate assistant at Cincinnati (2019)
Defensive graduate assistant at Alabama (2020-22)
Defensive graduate assistant at Notre Dame (2023)
Linebackers coach at Notre Dame (2024)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
College: Four-year letterwinner as a linebacker at Michigan State (2010-13)
Professional: Spent three seasons with the Houston Texans (2014-16)
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:
Coach:
2019 Birmingham Bowl (Cincinnati)
2020 Rose Bowl/CFP Semifinal (Alabama)
2020 CFP National Championship Game (Alabama)
2021 Cotton Bowl/CFP Semifinal (Alabama)
2021 CFP National Championship (Alabama)
2022 Sugar Bowl (Alabama)
2023 Sun Bowl (Notre Dame)
2025 Sugar Bowl/CFP Quarterfinal (Notre Dame)
2025 Orange Bowl/CFP Semifinal (Notre Dame)
2025 CFP National Championship (Notre Dame)
Joel Welsh – Head Football Strength and Conditioning Coach
A veteran strength and conditioning coach of more than 15 years, Joel Welsh was the Director of Strength and Conditioning overseeing football at Central Michigan from 2019-24 before getting promoted to Associate Athletic Director for Sport Performance at CMU in 2025. In his new role at CMU this past year, he collaborated with all performance units, including strength and conditioning, sports medicine, nutrition, mental health and sports science.
"Our program will be modeled on player development, and it became abundantly clear after researching and talking with coaches in the profession that Joel was the right person to lead us in strength and conditioning," said Fitzgerald. "With his background, he has the pedigree and plan that will give our players the best opportunity to succeed on Saturdays."
Welsh previously led the strength and conditioning program for three years (2017-19) at Delaware State, working with football, men's basketball, women's volleyball, track and field, equestrian and women's golf. He was recognized by the Division of Student Affairs in 2018 with the Quiet Champion Award and was honored in 2017 with the Athletic Director's Choice Award as the employee of the year.
A native of Bronx, New York, Welsh's first full-time position was at Iowa from 2012-16 as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. During his time in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes reached four bowl games, including the 2016 Rose Bowl.
Welsh's career began as a strength and conditioning coordinator at Queens College, followed by an internship at Fordham and a graduate assistant position at Springfield (Mass.) College from 2010-12.
He graduated with a bachelor's degree in family nutrition and exercise science from Queens College in 2010, and earned his master's degree in strength and conditioning from Springfield College in 2012.
Welsh is certified by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association and is a USA Weightlifting – Level 1 Sports Performance Coach.
Welsh and his wife, Mara, have two sons, Roman and Maddox, and a daughter, Raina.
THE WELSH FILE
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
Strength and conditioning coordinator at Queens College (N.Y.) (2008)
Strength and conditioning intern at Fordham (2010)
Graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach, Springfield College (Mass.) (2010-12)
Assistant strength and conditioning coach at Iowa (2012-16)
Head strength and conditioning coach at Delaware State (2017-19)
Director of strength and conditioning at Central Michigan (2019-24)
Associate Athletic Director for Sport Performance at Central Michigan (2025)
Returning hire snapshot bios:
Joe Rossi – Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator
A three-time nominee for the Broyles Award, Joe Rossi has been Michigan State's defensive coordinator since 2024. Highly respected as one of the top defensive coaches in the country, Rossi has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience and has been on the sidelines for seven bowl games.
"I've always had respect for Coach Rossi's defenses," said Fitzgerald. "We used to study them when he was at Minnesota and we went against him every year. After talking with the players here at Michigan State, they also hold him in high regard. I'm looking forward to him leading our defense."
During his first season at MSU in 2024, Rossi was nominated for the Broyles Award for the third time of his career after the Spartans ranked 32nd in the FBS in rushing defense (125.1 ypg), 34th in total defense (332.0 ypg) and 46th in pass defense (206.9 ypg). This past fall, both of MSU's starting linebackers, Jordan Hall and Wayne Matthews III, earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition as the duo ranked No. 1 and No. 2 on the team in tackles, respectively.
Before arriving to Michigan State, Rossi spent six seasons (2018-23) at Minnesota, where he helped build the Gophers into one of the best defenses in the Big Ten as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Minnesota's defense ranked among the top 10 in the FBS in total defense three times (No. 3 in 2021, No. 8 in 2022, No. 10 in 2019) and scoring defense twice (No. 4 in 2022, No. 6 in 2021) under Rossi's direction. He coached 30 All-Big Ten honorees, two first-team All-Americans and 11 NFL Draft picks during his time in Minneapolis while getting nominated for the Broyles Award twice.
James Adams – Safeties
James Adams returns for his second season at Michigan State as the safeties coach after joining the Spartan staff in January 2025. Adams has coached defensive backs for the past 17 seasons since beginning his coaching career in 2009 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in Wake Forest.
"James Adams has been on my list of coaches I've wanted to get to know, and after talking with him, he represents everything you would want for someone on your staff," said Fitzgerald. "He's a great leader of men, a positive teacher, and develops meaningful relationships with his players."
Adams spent three seasons (2022-24) at Wake Forest as the safeties coach and helped two Demon Deacons get selected in the 2024 NFL Draft (Malik Mustapha, fourth round, 49ers; Sanoussi Kane, seventh round, Ravens). In 2024, Adams mentored safety Nick Anderson, who led the ACC with 122 tackles and had two interceptions to earn third-team All-ACC honors.
Prior to getting drafted, Mustapha garnered second-team All-ACC honors in 2023 along with a Senior Bowl invite after collecting 80 tackles. He started in 12 of his 16 games for the 49ers during his rookie season in 2024 with 72 tackles, five passes defended and one interception. Kane played in 15 games for the AFC North Champion Ravens.
Overall, his players have earned all-conference honors on six occasions. Adams has also coached at Purdue (2021), Navy (2020), Western Michigan (2019), Charlotte (2011-17) and Wofford (2010).
Players Mentioned
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