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LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State University has announced the firing of head football coach Jonathan Smith following a disappointing season in which the Spartans finished with a 4-8 record, including just one win in Big Ten conference play. Smith, who was hired two years ago, leaves with an overall record of 9-15 at Michigan State. Athletic Director J Batt stated, "The 2025 football season has not lived up to our shared standards for Michigan State Football."
Just hours after Smith's dismissal, Michigan State confirmed the hiring of Pat Fitzgerald as the new head coach. Fitzgerald, who previously coached at Northwestern University from 2006 to 2022, brings a wealth of experience to the Spartans. During his tenure at Northwestern, he achieved a record of 110-101, leading the Wildcats to two Big Ten West championships and five bowl victories. However, Fitzgerald's time at Northwestern ended amid a hazing scandal, resulting in his firing in 2023. He later reached a settlement with the university after filing a wrongful termination lawsuit.
The decision to hire Fitzgerald is seen as a move to restore Michigan State's football program to its former glory. The Spartans have struggled since the retirement of their all-time winningest coach, Mark Dantonio, in 2020. Expectations are high for Fitzgerald to bring stability and success back to East Lansing. The university hopes his leadership will re-energize the donor base and improve the team's performance in the competitive Big Ten conference.