Pat Fitzgerald Returns to the Big Ten

Coming off a 4-8 campaign at Michigan State, it’s a familiar face that takes over the helm for the Spartans. Former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald agreed to a five-year, $30 million contract to become the Michigan State head man. The signing signals a change in East Lansing, with the hopes for better seasons ahead.  

During Fitzgerald’s 17 years in Evanston, he finished with a positive 110-101 record and guided the Wildcats to 10 bowl games and five AP Top 25 finishes. The 2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year will look to bring a change to the team’s culture and put Sparty back in competition for a Big Ten Championship. 

“I think you're going to have 18 head football coaches walk up here and have an expectation to win the Big Ten Championship,” Fitzgerald said. “That's our expectation.”

Fitzgerald said that he and the team have more than just a chip on their shoulder coming into 2026. 

“I wouldn't say I have a chip on my shoulder. I wouldn't say our program has a chip on our shoulder,” Fitzgerald said. “I'd say we have a bag of chips on our shoulder. I'll leave it at that.” 

Alessio Milivojevic Ready for First Full Season

Leading the charge into 2026 will be redshirt sophomore quarterback Alessio Milivojevic. The second-year starter threw for 1,267 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025 even though he didn’t get much game action until the final four games of the season. Milivojevic believes the final stretch of games taught him what he needs to know heading into 2026. 

“Now that I got those four games of starting and feeling the highs and lows along with the halftimes — every part of the game — it really allows me to really understand what it takes to win a Big Ten football game,” Milivojevic said. “It takes a lot.” 

Milivojevic sat behind former Spartan and current Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles in 2024 and waited patiently for his turn at the halfway point in 2025. The 6'3” gunslinger is so excited for his first full season in East Lansing, he even created a GroupMe with his teammates for non-mandatory, but highly encouraged, practices. 

“I actually had to make a GroupMe because there's too many skill players,” Milivojevic said. “I made this little GroupMe [so] that I could send a text, and we're throwing at 9 a.m. I mean… it'll say optional, but if you're not there, you're expected to be there.” 

Nick Sheridan will call plays for the Spartans after being hired as the program's offensive coordinator following two seasons as Alabama's co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. During his time in Tuscaloosa, Sheridan helped oversee one of the SEC's most explosive offenses before making the move to East Lansing. Prior to Alabama, Sheridan served as Indiana's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2020-21, where he played a key role in the development of current Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Milivojevic will learn from one of the nation’s most respected play callers as he continues to develop for the Spartans. 

Linebacker Jordan Hall Ready to Lead the Defense

Senior linebacker Jordan Hall is ready to roll heading into this season. Hall broke into the spotlight with a career-high 88 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2025. The senior spoke highly of defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, who has been with the program since 2024, ahead of the season. 

“[Coach Rossi] has probably single-handedly played the most pivotal point in my growth as a linebacker,” Hall said. “I'm looking forward to having Coach Rossi back on the sideline again for the season. It'll be very exciting.” 

Rossi will look to have the defense rebound after a season in which the Spartans allowed just under 30 points per game. Hall said one of Rossi’s best qualities is the passion he coaches with, fueling each player on the defense. 

“He cares a lot, and sometimes it comes off as anger, but it's just passion and love,” Hall said. “If you listen to what he's saying and not how he says it, that's where you can be able to open up that space to grow and receive information.” 

The Spartans will need their defense to settle in quickly with a challenging schedule ahead. Their toughest tests begin in week three with a road trip to Notre Dame, followed by another hostile environment in week 10 against rival Michigan. The Spartans then return home in week 12 for what could be another pivotal matchup against Oregon. 

Ready for Battle

With new coaching, returning faces and a hungry quarterback going into 2026, the Spartans have a chance to do what Pat Fitzgerald loves most – embrace the underdog role. With the fuel to be competitive, Michigan State could climb their way up the rankings of a very difficult Big Ten.  

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