Michigan State’s Pat Fitzgerald Hire Ranked as Worst Coaching Move of 2025 Cycle by ESPN Analyst

Michigan State’s decision to hire Pat Fitzgerald as its new head football coach has been ranked dead last among all 2025 coaching hires. ESPN analyst Bill Connelly gave the move a C grade in his annual evaluation. The ranking places the Spartans’ hire at 30th out of 30 programs.

This critical assessment contrasts with local optimism surrounding Fitzgerald’s early staff assembly. Connelly’s analysis cites Fitzgerald’s recent struggles and questions his fit in the modern NIL era.

Connelly Points to Northwestern Decline and Modern Game Concerns

In his evaluation for ESPN, Connelly acknowledged Fitzgerald’s earlier success. He noted the coach’s 110 wins and division titles at Northwestern. However, Connelly argued the logic of hiring a “known overachiever” falls apart upon closer inspection.

He highlighted Fitzgerald’s dismal final seasons in Evanston. Fitzgerald went 14–31 over his last four years at Northwestern. The team’s average offensive SP+ ranking was a poor 108.5 during that span.

Defensive performance also slipped badly after 2020. Connelly pointed out this is a major concern for a coach known for defense. The analyst was blunt in his comparison to Michigan State’s recent past.

“If Michigan State had employed Fitzgerald from 2019 to 2022, the school would have fired him,” Connelly wrote. He contrasted this with the school firing Jonathan Smith after a 4–15 start. The quick hire of a coach with a 4–20 recent record raised red flags.

A Calculated Gamble on Culture Versus Proven Modern Results

The analysis questions the financial risk of the move. Fitzgerald’s contract is reportedly worth around $6 million annually. Connelly suggests that sum is a gamble on a coach unproven in today’s college football landscape.

The modern game relies heavily on NIL and the transfer portal. Fitzgerald’s late Northwestern tenure did not demonstrate success in this new environment. This is a key unknown for Michigan State’s future.

Connelly also referenced the hazing scandal at Northwestern. While Fitzgerald was not found to have direct involvement, Connelly noted it raises leadership questions. The “buck-stops-here” responsibility of a head coach is under scrutiny.

“Maybe things will work out great,” Connelly concluded. “But with so little recent success… I assumed he would need to prove himself at the Group of Five level first.” The analyst labeled it the one power-conference hire he simply does not like.

The success of the Pat Fitzgerald hire will not be judged by past resumes. Michigan State football is betting his leadership and cultural fit can overcome recent trends. The program’s identity depends on it.

Info at your fingertips

Why did ESPN rank the Fitzgerald hire so low?

ESPN’s Bill Connelly ranked it last due to Fitzgerald’s 14-31 record in his final four years at Northwestern. The analysis also questioned his fit in the modern NIL and transfer portal era of college football.

What was Fitzgerald’s record at Northwestern?

Pat Fitzgerald won 110 games total at Northwestern. However, his teams struggled significantly at the end, including a 1-11 season in 2022 and a 3-9 record in 2021.

How much is Pat Fitzgerald’s Michigan State contract?

While official terms are not fully public, reports indicate his contract is worth roughly $6 million per year. This financial commitment is part of the risk cited by analysts.

Did the Northwestern hazing scandal impact this analysis?

Yes, Connelly mentioned it. He noted that while Fitzgerald was not found to have known about the misconduct, the situation still raises questions about program oversight for a head coach.

Who did Michigan State football hire as offensive coordinator?

New head coach Pat Fitzgerald hired Nick Sheridan as offensive coordinator. Sheridan previously served on the coaching staff at the University of Alabama.

What grade did ESPN give the Michigan State coaching hire?

ESPN analyst Bill Connelly assigned the hiring of Pat Fitzgerald a C grade. This was the lowest grade given among all 30 head coaching hires evaluated in the 2025 cycle.

Trusted Sources

Analysis and reporting for this article were informed by content from ESPN.