After facing allegations of ignoring a hazing scandal during his tenure at Northwestern, football coach Pat Fitzgerald has found a new home within the Big Ten Conference.

At 51, Fitzgerald has been appointed to lead the football team at Michigan State University, an institution that has previously contended with its own issues involving a sexual harassment scandal within its football program.

The university made the announcement on Monday, marking the end of Jonathan Smith’s stint as head coach after a disappointing 4-15 record over two seasons with the Spartans.

“Pat Fitzgerald is widely regarded as an outstanding football coach whose teams exhibit remarkable toughness and determination. They consistently show improvement and reach their full potential,” the school stated. “Pat is an ideal match for Michigan State Football. He understands the Big Ten, maintains strong connections throughout the Midwest, and upholds the values that are fundamental to our program. His profound enthusiasm will resonate throughout the team.”

In response to his appointment, Fitzgerald expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am honored to be named the head football coach at Michigan State University,” in a statement released by the university.

Michigan State has hired ex-Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald for the same role

The Spartans fired head coach Jonathan Smith after the end of a disappointing 4-8 season

‘I am honored to be named the head football coach at Michigan State University,’ Fitzgerald said in a statement released by Michigan State. 

‘I’d like to thank President (Kevin) Guskiewicz and Athletics Director (J) Batt for this opportunity. This is a program with a deep and storied tradition, a passionate fan base, and a commitment to excellence that extends far beyond the football field. 

‘What excited me most about this opportunity was the vision for what Michigan State can be for years to come. 

‘We will restore tradition, and I’m eager to earn the trust of our players, alumni, and fans while competing at the highest level.’ 

This is Fitzgerald’s second head coaching gig after previously coaching at Northwestern University, his alma mater, from 2006 to 2022.

He played linebacker for the Wildcats from 1993-1996 before working as a grad assistant at Maryland and Colorado.

Fitzgerald briefly served as the linebackers and safeties coach at Idaho before returning to Evanston. From 2001 to 2005, Fitzgerald was Northwestern’s defensive backs coach, linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. After the sudden passing of Randy Walker, Fitzgerald was promoted to head coach in 2006.

From his hire until his eventual firing in 2022, he put up a record of 110-101 – with just six seasons of eight wins or more and two Big Ten West division titles. But, in his final two seasons, he put up a combined record of 4-21.

Fitzgerald led his alma mater from 2006 to 2022 – winning two Big Ten West division titles

In the summer of 2023, an independent investigation found that Fitzgerald had knowledge of multiple hazing incidents within his football program which included sexual abuse

In 2023, multiple former Northwestern players filed lawsuits alleging sexual abuse, racial discrimination and hazing on the team.

The school conducted an independent investigation and found that knowledge of the hazing activities alleged by former players was ‘widespread’ within the team.

In particular, Fitzgerald was alleged to have knowledge of these hazing activities. He was also accused of making hand gestures directly tied to said hazing – with these motions indicating that freshman players should be physically and sexually assaulted for poor performance.

Fitzgerald was initially suspended by the school for two weeks without pay. Three days later, the school fired him.

Fitzgerald denied wrongdoing and then subsequently sued the school for $130million – alleging Northwestern illegally terminated his employment and damaged his reputation.

In August, Fitzgerald and the school reached an undisclosed settlement.

Fitzgerald denied any knowledge and reached a settlement with Northwestern in August

The Spartans are hoping to regain the success they had under Mark Dantonio from 2007-2019

Dantonio’s replacement, Mel Tucker, was fired in 2023 after being accused of sexual harassment. He denies the accusations. Tucker was later given a three-year show-cause penalty by the NCAA for fielding ineligible players – leading to the Spartans vacating wins.

Fitzgerald will now be tasked with leading Michigan State – a school which has struggled to return to the prior glory it experienced under head coach Mark Dantonio. 

Dantonio led the Spartans to three Big Ten Conference titles and the 2015 College Football Playoff before retiring after the 2019 season.

His replacement, Mel Tucker, coached for four seasons before being fired in 2023 after being accused of sexual harassment by a woman who Tucker invited to campus multiple times to speak with the team in her capacity as an anti-sexual violence advocate.

Tucker denied the allegations, but was fired by Michigan State in September 2023. He has since filed a lawsuit against the school for wrongful termination and defamation.

Just last month, Michigan State was put on three years probation and Tucker was given a three-year show-cause order for committing Level 1 – standard NCAA violations by fielding three ineligible players.

The collegiate sports governing body also found members of Tucker’s staff had ‘arranged for and provided impermissible recruiting inducements and benefits and unofficial visit expenses.’

Michigan State was also ordered to vacate all their wins from 2022-2024. This included five wins under Smith. The school was also fined $30,000 plus 1.5 percent of the football program’s budget.