‘Pat Fitzgerald Era Already Better,’ ‘Doesn’t Sit Well With Me’ — CFB World Divided on Michigan State HC’s Return to Coaching After Northwestern Scandal
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As Michigan State kicks off its Week 1 against the Toledo Rockets, this showdown also marks the return of new Spartans head coach Pat Fitzgerald to the college football world.
After being fired in 2023 following a hazing situation at Northwestern, the former coach sued the university for wrongful termination, and the two sides would not settle until 2025 on undisclosed terms.
Fitzgerald was away from coaching for a few years while settling his lawsuit with Northwestern, but was hired in December of 2025 to coach Michigan State. Now back in the saddle of a Big Ten program, Fitzgerald was welcomed back by media members and fans all over the college world as he and his Spartans kicked off Week 1 at home.
College Football World Shows Love to Pat Fitzgerald’s Return
“The first offensive drive in the Pat Fitzgerald era: 13 plays. 11 GRAHND AND PAHNDS. Touchdown. Love it,” stated Pat McAfee Show’s Evan Fox.
“The Pat Fitzgerald era begins at Michigan State tonight 🗡️” posted Fox College Football.
“When you realize Pat Fitzgerald was ripping off Top-20 seasons with a bunch of pre-med nerds and now can have actual football players,” remarked another.
“The Pat Fitzgerald Era, already better.” wrote a college football fan after Michigan State’s first drive.
Sports Broadcaster Kate Constable also took to her X account to praise the new Spartan coach, writing, “I love seeing Pat Fitzgerald back on the sidelines. Give him a few years and Michigan State will be competitive in the Big Ten again.”
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Not Everyone Enjoyed Pat Fitzgerald’s Comeback
Not everyone was a fan of Fitzgerald’s return to coaching, especially those who remember why he was removed from his position in the first place.
One user on X said, “Something about Pat Fitzgerald still doesn’t sit well with me, idk.”
“He has a disturbing presence,” wrote another X user.
“He’s like Dennis Rodman…you hate him, unless he’s on your team,” stated a Nebraska Cornhusker fan.
Fitzgerald has total control over the program at Michigan State, but it’s clear that he has some work to do before the college football world has his back. A Week 1 win over Toledo will certainly go some way toward achieving that goal.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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