Pat Fitzgerald stepped onto the field in East Lansing for his first season as head coach of the Michigan State Spartans, inheriting a program that finished 4‑8 in 2025 and has not tasted a Big Ten victory since 2021.
The Spartans’ struggles are rooted in a roster that was stripped of its most experienced skill players, including wide receiver Nick Marsh, quarterback Aidan Chiles and defensive end Jalen Thompson, leaving a thin depth chart that forced the coaching staff to rely heavily on younger talent.
Among the few bright spots are returning linebacker Jordan Hall and sophomore quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, who arrived from a transfer and is expected to anchor the offense. Defensive stalwarts such as Joe Rossi and former Northwestern teammate Max Bullough provide continuity on the line, while the coaching staff hopes their experience will translate into improved play.
A rocky start gives way to a critical turning point
The season opened with a surprising 3‑0 start, only to unravel into a nine‑game skid that left the team with just two narrow wins. A mid‑season bye week ahead of the rivalry game against Michigan offers a rare chance to regroup before the final stretch.
Fitzgerald’s track record at Northwestern, where he compiled a 110‑101 record over sixteen years, suggests he can rebuild a program from the ground up, but the Spartans’ limited star power and the competitive nature of the Big Ten make immediate success unlikely.
The road ahead
The road forward will depend on developing the sophomore quarterback, stabilizing the defense and retaining key transfers. If the foundation laid during the offseason holds, the program could see a turnaround in the next recruiting cycle, but for now the focus remains on steady progress.