The Michigan State Spartans parted ways with Jonathan Smith this Monday, Dec. 1, and almost immediately, hired former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald as their new coach. Fitzgerald had a long relationship with the fellow Big Ten program, with varying degrees of success from 2006 to 2022.
A new era begins in East Lansing!
Welcome home, Coach Fitzgerald! pic.twitter.com/Ds77loJOlf
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) December 1, 2025
Fitzgerald had a 110-101 record over 17 seasons at Northwestern. He’s a College Football Hall of Fame inductee due to a successful career with the Wildcats in the 1990s, during which he won two Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards, two Bronko Nagurski Trophies, and two Chuck Bednarik awards.
While some fans were ecstatic about the news, others were less certain about him and his ability to adapt to the modern game, based on his last few seasons with the Wildcats.
“get on the phone and start recruiting big bro,” said one fan who seemed hopeful about the decision.
“This hire will probably get you into some more bowl games but not to nationally again. He’s just not that consistent. 1-11 in 2022 and 3-9 in 2021 followed by random 15 10-3 and 18 10-3. But no playoffs,” claimed someone else.
“How did he do his last 3 non-covid seasons at Northwestern?,” asked someone ironically.
Despite doubts, some Spartans fans expressed great hope about the decision.
“Possibly one of the best hires that’s been announced. The guy can coach and I would imagine his hunger to get back at it and prove himself is sky high. No one will out work him! Great job, @MSU_Football,” explained one fan.
“Phenomenal move. 🙌🏽 Can’t say enough about this man’s character and his influence on my life and football career,” joyfully said someone else.
“ELITE HIRE. Potentially the best hire of the weekend/early off season! He us a flat out winner, can coach and was a dawg as a player, dog as a coach,” celebrated another person.
Why Did Michigan State Fire Jonathan Smith?
The Michigan State authorities believed the football program’s performance in 2025 didn’t meet expectations set before the season.
About the decision to fire Jonathan Smith, Athletic Director J Batt said:
“The 2025 football season has not lived up to our shared standards for Michigan State Football. While that does not fall solely on Jonathan Smith, it’s become necessary to make a coaching change in order to chart a new direction for the program.”
Smith’s second season in charge of Michigan State was a disappointing 4-8, which followed a 5-7 record in 2024 (although these wins have since been vacated). Even though Smith took over a program riddled with scandal, the authorities believe there has been no improvement in the two seasons that followed.
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