Fans, media react to MSU reportedly hiring Pat Fitzgerald as next head coach
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Michigan State football has reportedly landed on its next head coach.
Things moved quickly for the Spartans on Sunday afternoon as Jonathan Smith was dismissed as the head coach, and only a few hours later it became apparent who would be taking over for him: former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald. Reports instantly surfaced that Fitzgerald was a “person of interest” for Michigan State, which was then followed up a hour or two later by local media stating he will be hired as the next coach.
Fitzgerald last coached at the collegiate level in 2022 after being fired amid a hazing scandal. He was later vindicated, though, after winning a lawsuit for wrongful termination by the school. Prior to his termination in 2023, Fitzgerald coached 17 seasons at Northwestern, where he compiled a record of 110-101. He won the Big Ten West Division twice, and reached a bowl game 10 times as the Wildcats’ head coach.
When the news broke that Fitzgerald would be taking over as the Spartans next head coach, fans and media took to social media to express their thoughts on the hire. Here are some of the responses and feedback to the hire below:
Pat Fitzgerald is a great hire for Michigan State. I have no idea if it will work out. pic.twitter.com/hCNbOvl84f
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) November 30, 2025
Sources confirm Michigan State is expected to hire Pat Fitzgerald as its next head coach, as first reported by @chrissolari and @Graham_Couch.
Spartans bringing in an experienced Big Ten winner as their 27th head coach.
— Stephen Brooks (@StephenM_Brooks) November 30, 2025
Michigan State fans thinking the program is too good for Pat Fitzgerald might be what finally drives me off social media
— sarge (@sarge____) November 30, 2025
Let’s just keep it real for a second. Northwestern never had any business being a B1G10 Championship contender. They don’t have the necessary recourses to be considered in that conversation. Pat Fitzgerald still made it happen. Imagine him with the National Brand that MSU…
— Matt Seybert (@mattseybert82) November 30, 2025
Pat Fitzgerald is a homerun hire….people might not realize it yet but they will
— Todd Anderson (@TandersonMSU) November 30, 2025
I’ve talked to 3 former MSU players from the Dantonio era.
Their responses when I asked them about Pat Fitzgerald to MSU:
– “Please be true. He was as good as any coach in the conference when I was (at MSU).”
– “Fuck yes, let’s roll.
He recruited me out of high school, I… https://t.co/rwbxq6InbWpic.twitter.com/ATL5Km0Ege
— Justin Spiro (@DarkoStateNews) November 30, 2025
For everyone in the comments saying we “already had our guy” and the assumption right now is that, that guy is Pat Fitzgerald, isn’t that slightly terrifying? No open and transparent process simply a hiring of a dude who since 2020 has gone:
1-8
1-8
5-4
2-7
4-5B1G Play. https://t.co/Sxyt10KSUy
— DK (@SpartanHoops_DK) November 30, 2025
Replacing Jonathan Smith with Pat Fitzgerald pic.twitter.com/42FkHrCmK7
— gio🦁 (@Clapped_Dre) November 30, 2025
100% behind a Pat Fitzgerald football team. Midwest guy that knows the conference and what MSU needs to succeed.
Hopefully keep some players but understand if we lose one or even both of our QBs.
Main priority is the staff & hitting the reset button. Gonna be interesting 👀
— Will (@SpartanWilliam) November 30, 2025
Pat Fitzgerald coming back to the Big Ten and coaching at Michigan State will only make this conference even tougher. He knows this conference, had 5 seasons with 9 wins or more, had an overall winning record.
He would make Michigan State a name in the Big Ten again.
— Big Ten information and news (@Genetics56) November 30, 2025
IT’S ALL HAPPENING SO FAST MY GOD
Pat Fitzgerald to Michigan State according to @freepsports…thoughts? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/Pd9AsHpoia
— Fireball sommelier (@Sheehan_Sports) November 30, 2025
Pat Fitzgerald, of course, is MSU’s target — a deal hasn’t been reached, but it’s widely expected to happen.
Don’t be surprised if a Fitzgerald contract looks a whole lot different (with a lot smaller buyout) than Jonathan Smith’s, as Fitzgerald tries to reestablish himself.
— Tony Paul | Detroit News (@TonyPaul1984) November 30, 2025
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Social media reactions to MSU reportedly hiring Pat Fitzgerald as next head coach
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos