Pat Fitzgerald Aims High with Michigan State: "Win a Big Ten Championship"

Pat Fitzgerald made a memorable appearance at the Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins game on Thursday, where he not only threw the first pitch but also set ambitious expectations for his new role as head coach of Michigan State football. Speaking with Detroit SportsNet’s Jason Benetti and Dan Petry, Fitzgerald emphasized his determination to elevate the Spartans, stating, “I expect (fans) to see the toughest Michigan State football team that we’ve ever had. I expect us to be competitive and win a Big Ten championship, and we’re not gonna back away from those two expectations.”

At 51 years old, Fitzgerald took the helm of a Michigan State program that has faced challenges, including four consecutive losing seasons and two coaching transitions since 2022. “We’re excited about the talent we have, and I’m really excited about us continuing to come together here,” he remarked, expressing his enthusiasm for the team's potential.

Having spent 17 years coaching at Northwestern before a brief stint in high school football, Fitzgerald feels revitalized by returning to the collegiate level. He noted, “Seven a.m. workouts this morning, just getting back with the guys. It’s every aspect of it. It’s never been better. Our guys in East Lansing are terrific.”

Fitzgerald's roster features a mix of 30 transfers and 21 freshmen, and he has been actively fostering connections with his players over the past six months. He shared a light-hearted moment about his first pitch, admitting, “It was a ball. I pride myself on throwing strikes and it was a ball. Not good.” As the football season approaches, Fitzgerald’s high standards for both himself and his program are clear.