Michigan State Rebounds with Home-Run Hire at QB Coach: John McNulty
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Michigan State has moved quickly to fill its quarterback coach vacancy, as first reported by Pete Thamel and confirmed by Corey Robinson. The Spartans are hiring veteran coach John McNulty to join Pat Fitzgerald’s rapidly assembled staff.
The move comes after a brief but notable detour earlier this offseason. Back in December, Fitzgerald was putting together what looked like an Avengers-level coaching staff, highlighted by the addition of quarterback coach Mike Bajakian, who was expected to play a major role in developing Alessio Milivojevic.
That plan, however, was short-lived.
Bajakian was recently offered an opportunity he couldn’t refuse — a jump to the NFL as the quarterbacks coach for the Cleveland Browns, where he’ll work alongside new head coach Todd Monken and help develop quarterbacks including Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Losing a coach barely a month after hiring him isn’t ideal, but it’s an understandable departure.
Michigan State didn’t waste time reacting.
The Spartans quickly turned their attention elsewhere, and the search didn’t last long. Enter John McNulty — a name with deep roots in both college football and the NFL. (And for the record, no, he’s not the John McNulty whose name briefly caused me a mild heart attack — different guy.)
This John McNulty brings a laundry list of experience, and he’ll use every bit of it to help mold Milivojevic and the Spartans’ quarterback room moving forward.
A Career Built on Experience
Playing Career
- Penn State (1988–1990) — Safety
Coaching Career
- Michigan (GA) — 1991–1994
- Connecticut (WR/ST) — 1995–1997
- Jacksonville Jaguars (OQC) — 1998–2000
- Jacksonville Jaguars (WR) — 2000–2002
- Dallas Cowboys (WR) — 2003
- Rutgers (WR) — 2004–2005
- Rutgers (Co-OC/QB) — 2006
- Rutgers (OC/QB) — 2007–2008
- Arizona Cardinals (WR) — 2009–2011
- Arizona Cardinals (QB) — 2012
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (QB) — 2013
- Tennessee Titans (QB) — 2014–2015
- Chargers (TE) — 2016–2017
- Rutgers (OC/QB) — 2018–2019
- Penn State (Offensive Analyst) — 2019
- Notre Dame (TE) — 2020–2021
- Boston College (OC) — 2022
- Alabama (Analyst) — 2023–2024
- Rutgers (Senior Offensive Assistant) — 2025–present
McNulty began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan in 1991, where the Wolverines won two Big Ten titles and appeared in four bowl games, including two Rose Bowls. In 1994, he worked closely with standout receivers Amani Toomer and Mercury Hayes.
After stops at UConn and six seasons in the NFL — including time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys — McNulty established himself as a developer of elite offensive talent. While in Jacksonville, he coached one of the league’s most productive receiving duos in Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell, helping guide the Jaguars to playoff runs in 1998 and 1999.
From there, McNulty’s résumé only grew.
During his stint with the Arizona Cardinals, he worked directly with Larry Fitzgerald, who earned multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections and became the franchise’s all-time leader in receiving yards, touchdowns, and 100-yard games.
In 2022, McNulty was targeted by Jeff Hafley to serve as offensive coordinator at Boston College, further cementing his reputation as one of the most respected offensive minds in the game.
Why This Matters for Michigan State
McNulty has coached every offensive position group imaginable, at every level of football imaginable. His experience alone commands instant respect, and his track record of developing quarterbacks and pass catchers speaks for itself.
Simply put:
His left pinky knows more about football than half the people in college football.
This is a home-run hire for Pat Fitzgerald, the coaching staff, and especially Michigan State’s quarterbacks. After a brief setback, the Spartans may have ended up with an even more proven voice in the room — one who can elevate not just Milivojevic, but the entire offense.
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