Pat Fitzgerald - Staff Directory - Michigan State University Athletics

Staff Directory

Pat Fitzgerald

Title:
Head Coach

Meet Coach Fitzgerald

One of the winningest football coaches in Big Ten history, Pat Fitzgerald was named head football coach at Michigan State University, MSU Vice President and Director of Athletics J Batt announced Dec. 1, 2025.

Over 17 seasons as the head coach at Northwestern University, Fitzgerald won 110 games, while guiding the Wildcats to 10 bowl games, five AP Top 25 finishes and a pair of appearances in the Big Ten Football Championship Game after winning the Big Ten West Division title in both 2018 and 2020. He was named the 2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year, and in 2020, won the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year Award after leading the Wildcats to a No. 10 national ranking and a win in the Citrus Bowl over Auburn. Fitzgerald has coached more than 50 All-Big Ten selections, including 21 first-teamers; 11 All-Americans, including four first-team honorees; and 22 NFL Draft picks.

His 110 wins rank 14th all-time for a Big Ten football coach, while his five bowl game victories rank tied for 12th among conference coaches.

"Today marks the beginning of a new era for Michigan State Football," said Batt upon Fitzgerald's hiring. "Pat Fitzgerald is widely recognized as an exceptional football coach, whose teams play with extreme toughness and grit, demonstrate continual improvement and maximize potential. Pat is an excellent fit for Michigan State Football, as he understands the Big Ten, has great relationships throughout the Midwest and embodies the values on which our program was built. His incredible passion will resonate throughout the program, connecting with all members of our Spartan community, including student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni and donors.

"As an institution, we are committed to providing the resources and infrastructure required to realize our shared vision of competing for championships, and with Pat leading the way, Spartan Football is positioned for sustained success at the Big Ten and national level. We are excited to welcome Pat, his wife, Stacy, and sons, Jack, Ryan and Brendan, to our Spartan family."

"Pat Fitzgerald is a proven leader who understands the full mission of intercollegiate athletics—competitive excellence, academic achievement, and the holistic development of student-athletes," said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. "His track record of building disciplined, resilient teams and his commitment to coaching with integrity make him an exceptional fit for Michigan State University. I'm confident that under his leadership, Spartan Football will thrive on and off the field."

"I am honored to be named the head football coach at Michigan State University," said Fitzgerald. "I'd like to thank President Guskiewicz and Athletics Director Batt for this opportunity. This is a program with a deep and storied tradition, a passionate fan base, and a commitment to excellence that extends far beyond the football field. What excited me most about this opportunity was the vision for what Michigan State can be for years to come. We will restore tradition, and I'm eager to earn the trust of our players, alumni, and fans while competing at the highest level."

During Fitzgerald's tenure at Northwestern (2006-22) his teams also excelled in the classroom, earning seven American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Academic Achievement Awards, the most of any team in the FBS during that time span. In 2019, the Wildcats became the first Power 5 team to post a perfect 100 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR).

Fitzgerald was named to the AFCA Board of Trustees for the second time in his career in 2026. While he was at Northwestern, Fitzgerald served on the AFCA board from 2012-21; he was the president of the association in 2021.

Fitzgerald is not only the winningest coach in Northwestern football history, he also was the leader of a stout Wildcat defense that won back-to-back Big Ten Championships in 1995 and 1996. He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year twice and he became the first player ever to win both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award two times, a feat he accomplished his junior and senior seasons. Fitzgerald also won the 1996 Jack Lambert Trophy, awarded to the top linebacker in college football, and was named NU's recipient of the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1997, recognizing him for athletic and academic excellence. The only two-time consensus All-American in Wildcat history, Fitzgerald was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 as player; he is also a member of the Northwestern Athletics Hall of Fame.

Fitzgerald began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at Maryland (1998) and Colorado (1999) before getting his first full-time position as a linebackers and special teams coach at Idaho in 2000.

He returned to Northwestern under Randy Walker as a defensive backs coach in 2001 and coached the linebackers from 2002-05 while adding recruiting coordinator duties in 2004-05. Named one of college football's top recruiters by SI.com in 2005, Fitzgerald mentored two-time All-Big Ten linebacker and former St. Louis Ram Tim McGarigle, the second all-time leading tackler in NCAA history (545).

Fitzgerald was named Northwestern's 29th head coach on July 7, 2006, following the tragic death of Walker on June 29, 2006. At the age of 31, Fitzgerald became the youngest head coach in the FBS during the time of his hiring.

Fitzgerald's program took off in his third season, going 9-4 and earning the first of five consecutive bowl bids from 2008-2012 with a trip to the Alamo Bowl. For leading Northwestern to nine wins for the first time since 1996 – when he was a player – Fitzgerald was named the 2008 Big Ten Coach of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Columbus, a semifinalist for the George Munger Coach of the Year Award and a finalist for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award.

In 2009, the Wildcats finished undefeated in November, including ranked wins over No. 8 Iowa and No. 17 Wisconsin, propelling them to an 8-4 regular season mark and a New Year’s Day bowl game against Auburn in the Outback Bowl.

He recorded his first 10-win season in 2012 as the Wildcats finished ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll following a win over Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl. The win marked the 50th of Fitzgerald’s career, making him the winningest head coach in Northwestern football history.

Northwestern won 10 games again in 2015 and went 6-2 in the Big Ten to earn a bid to play in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day while finishing No. 23 in the AP Poll. The Wildcats posted two wins over ranked teams (No. 21 Stanford, No. 21 Wisconsin) and closed the regular season on a five-game winning streak.

Fitzgerald won his last four bowl games as head coach of the Wildcats with victories in the Pinstripe Bowl (2016 vs. No. 22 Pitt), Music City Bowl (2017 vs. Kentucky), Holiday Bowl (2018 vs. No. 20 Utah) and Citrus Bowl (2021 vs. Auburn). The Wildcats also closed out the season ranked in the AP Top 25 in 2017 (No. 17), 2018 (No. 21) and 2020 (No. 10) following their bowl wins.
The win over Kentucky in the 2017 Music City Bowl capped off an eight-game winning streak for the Wildcats, who finished the 2017 season with 10 wins for the fifth time in program history and third time over the last six seasons. Northwestern averaged nine victories over the 2016-18 seasons (27-12), setting a program record for wins during a three-year span. The previous high was 26 wins from 1903-05.

In 2018, Northwestern mounted a dramatic 31-20 come-from-behind victory over No. 17 Utah in the Holiday Bowl by scoring a bowl-record 28 points in the third quarter, erasing a 17-point halftime deficit, to claim its third straight bowl win for the first time in program history. Fitzgerald was named the 2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year after guiding Northwestern to the Big Ten West Division title and its first Big Ten title game appearance.

The Wildcats had a special season in 2020. In the conference only season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fitzgerald led Northwestern to a 6-1 regular season record, the Big Ten West Division title, and a win in the 2021 Citrus Bowl over Auburn. He was named the 2020 Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year recipient in addition to winning the 2021 Stallings Award, given to a Division I coach for being an exceptional humanitarian and coach. The 2020 Wildcats finished the season ranked No. 10 in the AP’s final poll with a 7-2 record, the program’s best finish in the poll since the 1995 season.

Four players – defensive back Brandon Joseph, defensive back Greg Newsome II, linebacker Paddy Fisher and linebacker Blake Gallagher – received All-America recognition in 2020. Joseph headlined the group, becoming Northwestern’s first consensus All-American since 2000 and only the second defensive consensus All-American in program history, the other being Fitzgerald.

A total of 14 players earned All-Big Ten recognition from either the league coaches or media, including Joseph, Fisher and Newsome II, who received first-team honors. It was the first time in program history that three Northwestern defensive players earned first team honors. Joseph also was named the Big Ten Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year, while Fisher was tabbed as the Big Ten Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year. The Katy, Texas, native finished his collegiate career as the active career leader in total tackles with 404 and was named a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

Three players from the 2020 team were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, including a pair of first-rounders (OT Rashawn Slater, No. 13 overall, Chargers; DB Brandon Joseph, No. 26 overall, Browns).

Offensive tackle Peter Skoronski was the third first-rounder in the Fitzgerald era at Northwestern, getting selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. A two-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree, Skoronski was named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior in 2022 and earned unanimous first-team All-America honors.

Four players overall on the 2022 team were chosen in the 2023 NFL Draft, the most in a single year under Fitzgerald at NU.

Fitzgerald was very active in the community during his tenure at Northwestern, participating in numerous charitable causes, including the Special Olympics and the NU chapter of Uplifting Athletes, while also visiting schools and children's hospitals. For his work in the community, Fitzgerald was named the honorary coach of the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

Fitzgerald and his wife, Stacy, have three sons: Jack (21), Ryan (19) and Brendan (16).

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THE FITZGERALD FILE

PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE

Head coach at Northwestern (2006-22)
Linebackers coach/recruiting coordinator at Northwestern (2004-05)
Linebackers coach at Northwestern (2002-03)
Defensive backs coach at Northwestern (2001)
Linebackers coach/special teams coach at Idaho (2000)
Defensive graduate assistant at Colorado (1999)
Defensive graduate assistant at Maryland (1998)

COACHING HIGHLIGHTS

Winningest coach in Northwestern history with 110 victories (No. 14 in Big Ten history)
10 bowl games and tied for No. 12 in Big Ten history with five bowl wins
Two Big Ten West Division titles (2018, 2020)
2021 Stallings Award
2020 Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year
2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year
Five AP Top 25 finishes (No. 17 in 2012, No. 23 in 2015, No. 17 in 2017, No. 21 in 2018, No. 10 in 2020)
Three 10-win seasons (2012, 2015, 2017)
Coached more than 50 All-Big Ten selections, 22 NFL Draft picks and 11 All-Americans as head coach at Northwestern
Teams have won seven AFCA Academic Achievement Awards

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

Played four years as a linebacker at Northwestern (1993-96)
Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 as a player after leading the Wildcats to back-to-back Big Ten Championships in 1995-96
Two-time consensus All-American, two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, two-time Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner

EDUCATION

Earned his bachelor’s degree in 1997 from Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy.

HEAD COACHING RECORD

Fitzgerald has a 110-101 in his 17 seasons as head coach (Northwestern, 2006-22).

POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE/BOWL TEAMS

Coach: 2003 Motor City Bowl (assistant), 2005 Sun Bowl (assistant), 2008 Alamo, 2010 Outback, 2011 Ticket City, 2011 Texas, 2013 Gator, 2016 Outback, 2016 Pinstripe, 2017 Music City, 2018 Holiday, 2021 Citrus.

Player: 1996 Rose Bowl, 1997 Citrus Bowl.

NFL DRAFT PICKS UNDER FITZGERALD

Fitzgerald has coached 22 NFL draft picks during his career, including three first-rounders.

Year-by-Year Breakdown:
2024 (1): WR Malik Washington (Northwestern/Virginia; 6th round, No. 184 overall, Dolphins);

2023 (4): OT Peter Skoronski (Northwestern; 1st round, No. 11 overall, Titans); DL Adetomiwa Adebawore (Northwestern; 4th round, No. 110 overall); DB Cameron Mitchell (5th round,
No. 142 overall, Browns); RB Evan Hull (Northwestern; 5th round, No. 176 overall, Colts)

2021 (3): OT Rashawn Slater (Northwestern; 1st round, No. 13 overall, Chargers); CB Greg Newsome II (Northwestern; 1st round, No. 26 overall, Browns); DE Earnest Brown IV (Northwestern; 5th round, No. 174 overall, Raiders)

2019 (1): QB Clayton Thorson (Northwestern; 5th round, No. 167 overall, Eagles)

2018 (1): RB Justin Jackson (Northwestern; 7th round, No. 251 overall, Chargers)

2017 (2): LB Anthony Walker (Northwestern; 5th round, No. 161 overall, Colts); DL Ifeadi Odenigbo (Northwestern; 7th round, No. 220 overall, Vikings)

2016 (2): DE Dean Lowry (Northwestern; 4th round, No. 137 overall, Packers); FB Danny Vitale (Northwestern; 6th round, No. 197 overall, Buccaneers)

2015 (2): S Ibraheim Campbell (Northwestern; 4th round, No. 115 overall, Browns); QB Trevor Siemian (Northwestern; 7th round, No. 250 overall, Broncos)

2012 (2): TE Drake Dunsmore (Northwestern; 7th round, No. 233 overall, Buccaneers); WR Jeremy Ebert (Northwestern; 7th round, No. 235 overall, Patriots)

2010 (3): DE Corey Wootton (Northwestern; 4th round, No. 109 overall, Bears); QB Mike Kafka (Northwestern; 4th round, No. 122 overall, Eagles); DB Sherrick McManis (Northwestern; 5th round, No. 144 overall, Texans)

2006 (1): LB Tim McGarigle (Northwestern; 7th round, No. 221 overall, Rams)

ALL-AMERICANS UNDER FITZGERALD

Fitzgerald has coached 11 All-Americans during his career, including four first-teamers.

Year-by-Year Breakdown:
2010 (1): QB Dan Persa (CFN, honorable mention)
2012 (1): PR Venric Mark (FWAA, first team)
2013 (1): K Jeff Budzien (Sporting News, first team)
2015 (2): LB Anthony Walker (AP, third team), DB Nick VanHoose (Sports Illustrated, honorable mention)
2016 (1): WR Austin Carr (Sports Illustrated, third team)
2018 (1): LB Paddy Fisher (AP, third team)
2020 (4): LB Paddy Fisher (AFCA, second team), LB Blake Gallagher (Phil Steele, third team), DB Brandon Joseph (consensus first team; AFCA, AP, Sporting News, first team), CB Greg Newsome II (FWAA, second team)
2022 (1): OT Peter Skoronski (unanimous first team; AP, AFCA, FWAA, Sporting News, Walter Camp, first team)

ALL-BIG TEN SELECTIONS UNDER FITZGERALD

Fitzgerald has coached more than 50 All-Big Ten selections, including 21 first-team honorees.

2008 (1): DE Corey Wootton (1st, coaches; 2nd, media)

2009 (5): CB Sherrick McManis (1st, media; 2nd, coaches), S Brad Phillips (1st, coaches; 2nd, media), QB Mike Kafka (2nd, coaches and media), K Stefan Demos (2nd, coaches and media), WR Zeke Markshausen (2nd, media)

2010 (4): QB Dan Persa (1st, coaches; 2nd, media), WR Jeremy Ebert (1st, media), DL Vince Browne (2nd, media); DB Brian Peters (2nd, media)

2011 (3): TE Drake Dunsmore (1st, coaches and media), S Brian Peters (1st, media), WR Jeremy Ebert (2nd, media)

2012 (1): K Jeff Budzein (1st, coaches; 2nd, media), RB Venric Mark (2nd, coaches), OG Brian Mulroe (2nd, media)

2013 (2): K Jeff Budzein (1st, coaches and media); DL Tyler Scott (2nd, media)

2014 (2): DB Ibraheim Campbell (2nd, coaches), DB Nick VanHoose (2nd, media)

2015 (7): LB Anthony Walker (1st, coaches and media), RB Justin Jackson (2nd, coaches and media), TE Dan Vitale (2nd, coaches and media), DL Dan Lowry (2nd, coaches and media), DB Nick VanHoose (3rd, coaches and media), DL Deonte Gibson (3rd, media), RET Solomon Vault (3rd, media)

2016 (6): WR Austin Carr (1st, coaches and media), RB Justin Jackson (1st, media; 2nd, coaches), DL Ifeadi Odenigbo (1st, media; 2nd, coaches), LB Anthony Walker (2nd, coaches; 3rd, media), DB Godwin Igwebuike (2nd, coaches; 3rd, media), RET Solomon Vault (3rd, media)

2017 (7): RB Justin Jackson (2nd, coaches and media), DB Godwin Igwebuike (2nd, coaches and media), DL Joe Gaziano (2nd, media; 3rd, coaches), LB Paddy Fisher (2nd, media; 3rd, coaches), QB Clayton Thorson (3rd, coaches and media), OG Tommy Doles (3rd, coaches and media), DB Kyle Queiro (3rd, coaches and media)

2018 (5): LB Paddy Fisher (1st, coaches; 2nd, media), DB Montre Hartage (1st, media; 3rd, coaches); DL Joe Gaziano (2nd, coaches; 3rd, media); OT Rashawn Slater (3rd, coaches), LB Blake Gallagher (3rd, media)

2019 (2): DL Joe Gaziano (1st, coaches; 2nd, media); LB Paddy Fisher (2nd, media; 3rd, coaches)

2020 (7): LB Paddy Fisher (1st, coaches and media); DB Brandon Joseph (1st, coaches and media); DB Greg Newsome II (1st, coaches and media), LB Blake Gallagher (2nd, coaches and media); OT Peter Skoronski (2nd, media; 3rd, coaches); QB Peyton Ramsey (3rd, coaches and media); DL Eku Leota (3rd, media)

2021 (3): OT Peter Skoronski (1st, media; 2nd, coaches), DB Brandon Joseph (2nd, media), LB Chris Bergin (2nd, media; 3rd, coaches)

2022 (3): OT Peter Skoronski (1st, coaches and media), DL Adetomiwa Adebawore (3rd, media), LB Bryce Gallagher (3rd, media)