Pat Fitzgerald has total control over building Michigan State in his image
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Pat Fitzgerald has total control over building Michigan State in his image originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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New Michigan State coach Pat Fitzgerald didn't walk to East Lansing. He ran.
After three years away from college football, it was time for a reunion. Even though it wasn't the Big Ten reunion Fitzgerald likely wanted, it's one where he goes back to familiar roots, with a chance to do something he's always been known for: winning with less.
Except this time, he's at a much bigger school with a much bigger brand, where football is simply more important.
Fitzgerald knows he has a lot of work ahead of him. But if things play out as anticipated, Year 1 should be a critical, foundational focal point for what's to come. Michigan State has spent the last several years without an identity.
Defined by a lack of toughness, losses to inferior Big Ten opponents, and an inability to remain competitive in marquee rivalry games against Michigan, the Spartans lost their edge. Fitzgerald aims to change that.
For Fitzgerald, Michigan State's offensive identity will begin and end with the quarterback position. It is now Alessio Milivojevic's team.
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The Naperville, Illinois, native finally gets the shot he has been waiting for after Aidan Chiles left for Northwestern to replace Preston Stone at quarterback. Milivojevic is the engine that will drive the bus this fall, win or lose. And with that comes critical responsibility.
"I think guys are just ready to go; the desire to get out there, you can feel it," Milivojevic said. "Guys are practicing 100 percent every day, ready to play someone other than our own team."
"You're like my kids," Fitzgerald recalled telling his team at Big Ten Media Days in July. "I love all of you equally, but I just love the quarterback more, so don't take offense to that."
Nick Sheridan's transition from Alabama to Michigan State provides Fitzgerald with quarterback stability that previous iterations of the offense sorely lacked. It was a unit that simply couldn't score points, and not all of the blame fell under center.
Offensive success this fall is simple: hang onto the football and get it out quickly. That marks the sharp change in direction Michigan State needs; otherwise, it will be the same old offense continually short-changing drives behind an inefficient line.
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Fitzgerald’s return isn’t about chasing immediate Big Ten contention; it’s about stopping the bleeding and restoring baseline pride. If the Spartans can make opposing teams dread coming to Spartan Stadium again and claw their way back to a bowl game, Year 1 is an undeniable success.
The Fitzgerald era starts in Week 1 vs. Toledo Friday night at Spartan Stadium. It's a moment Fitzgerald has waited three years to see. He didn't know which school it would be for or what colors he would wear, but he now continues his career knowing he has a clean slate ahead. All he's worried about now is football.
Football, and nothing else.
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