Pat Fitzgerald is leveraging his Chicago and Midwest roots to enhance Michigan State's football program. The head coach aims to build a strong connection with local talent and foster team development.
Key points
Pat Fitzgerald is the head coach of Michigan State football.
He is leveraging his Chicago and Midwest connections.
The Spring Showcase took place on April 18, 2026.
The event focuses on player evaluation and team development.
Mentioned in this story
Pat FitzgeraldChicagoEast Lansing
Michigan StateSpring Showcase
Michigan State's Nick Sharpe, center, runs a drill during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's head coach Pat Fitzgerlad looks on during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's head coach Pat Fitzgerlad and the team walk across the end zone during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Cam Edwards runs the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Alessio Milivojevic wars up before the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Q&A
How is Pat Fitzgerald using his Chicago roots at Michigan State?
Pat Fitzgerald is utilizing his Chicago roots to connect with local talent and strengthen Michigan State's football program.
What is the significance of the Spring Showcase for Michigan State football?
The Spring Showcase is crucial for evaluating player performance and building team cohesion ahead of the upcoming season.
What strategies is Pat Fitzgerald implementing at Michigan State?
Pat Fitzgerald is focusing on local recruitment and team development strategies to enhance the overall performance of the football program.
When did the Michigan State football Spring Showcase take place?
The Michigan State football Spring Showcase occurred on April 18, 2026.
Related Articles
SportsĀ·Transfer
Duke lands Blackwell, top guard in transfer portal
Duke lands top transfer guard John Blackwell from Wisconsin!
ESPN NewsĀ·Ā·1 min read
NFLĀ·Feature
Sanders touts 'new vibe' under Browns' Monken
Sanders describes a 'new vibe' with Browns' coach Todd Monken
ESPN NewsĀ·Ā·1 min read
SoccerĀ·Recap
Heat rises on Rosenior as Brighton surge past shambolic Chelsea
Chelsea faces fifth straight loss as Brighton wins 3-0, raising questions about Rosenior's future.
Sky SportsĀ·Ā·1 min read
NFLĀ·Preview
NFL Nation mock draft: Our team reporters predict landing spots in the first round
Check out NFL Nation's mock draft predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft!
ESPN NewsĀ·Ā·1 min read
SoccerĀ·Recap
Coventry seal Championship title in style after thrashing Portsmouth
Coventry has won the Sky Bet Championship title after a decisive 5-1 victory over Portsmouth. This win secures their promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years.
Sky SportsĀ·Ā·1 min read
Sports
Leicester relegated to League One just 10 years after Premier League glory
Leicester City relegated to League One after a 2-2 draw with Hull City.
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.
Michigan State's Cam Fancher warms up during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Kayd Coffman warms up during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Charles Taplin catches a pass while warming up during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Rodney Bullard Jr. catches a pass while warming up during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Bryson Williams catches a pass while warming up during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Atticus Carridine caches a pass while warming up during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State warms up during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's defensive coordinator Joe Rossi talks with staff during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Charles Taplin catches a pass during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Conner Moore, left, blocks Eli Coenen during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Cam Fancher, right, hands the ball off to Marvis Parrish during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Marvis Parrish runs the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan talks with the team during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's head coach Pat Fitzgerlad and the Spartans takes the field during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Brandon Tullis catches a pass in a drill during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Brady Pretzlaff, left, and Caleb Wheatland participate in a drill during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Trent Fraley prepares to snap the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Darrin Jones Jr. runs the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's band performs during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Kai Rios runs after a catch in a drill during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State basketball's Coen Carr takes photos during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Leo Hannan throws a pass during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Zach Washington runs after a catch during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Alex Weeks punts the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Alessio Milivojevic, center, throws a pass to Brennan Parachek during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Andrew Brinson IV CB Bryson Williams, center, tries to pull in a catch as Tyran Chappell, left, defends during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Cam Edwards runs the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Derrick Simmons, top, stops Cam Fancher during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Liam Boyd kicks a field goal during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Chrishon McCray runs after a catch during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Jordan Hall, right, stops Kai Rios after a catch during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Marvis Parrish runs the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Alessio Milivojevic throws a pass during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Charles Brantley, center, celebrates after a play during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's defensive coordinator Joe Rossi calls out to the defense during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Max Bullough, center, talks with the team during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Leo Hannan throws a pass during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Rodney Bullard Jr., center, runs after a catch during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's NiJhay Burt, center, intercepts a pass intended for Charles Taplin, left, during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's NiJhay Burt, left, celebrates his interception with Nikai Martinez during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Aveon Grose intercepts the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Aveon Grose celebrates after an interception during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Kai Rios, right, catches the ball as Adam Shaw closes in during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Kayd Coffman throws a pass during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Kenneth Williams, left, celebrates a touchdown run with Nick Sharpe during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Kenneth Williams, center, takes a handoff from Cam Fancher during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Cam Fancher throws a pass during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Rodney Bullard Jr., left, nearly caches a touchdown pass as Deuce Edwards break up the play during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Carlos Hazelwood, left, and Evan Young celebrate after a play during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Kenny Soares Jr. spins around a bat while competing in a relay hotdog eating competition at the end of the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Kenny Soares Jr. eats a hotdog while competing in a relay hotdog eating competition at the end of the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Kenny Soares Jr., center, celebrates after winning the bat spin relay hotdog eating competition at the end of the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's head coach Pat Fitzgerlad addresses the team at the end of the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State sings the fight song at the end of the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State sings the fight song at the end of the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
1 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Nick Sharpe, center, runs a drill during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
1 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Nick Sharpe, center, runs a drill during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
2 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's head coach Pat Fitzgerlad looks on during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
3 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's head coach Pat Fitzgerlad and the team walk across the end zone during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
4 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Cam Edwards runs the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
5 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Alessio Milivojevic wars up before the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
6 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Cam Fancher warms up during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
7 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Kayd Coffman warms up during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
8 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Charles Taplin catches a pass while warming up during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
9 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Rodney Bullard Jr. catches a pass while warming up during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
10 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Bryson Williams catches a pass while warming up during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
11 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Atticus Carridine caches a pass while warming up during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
12 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State warms up during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
13 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's defensive coordinator Joe Rossi talks with staff during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
14 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Charles Taplin catches a pass during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
15 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Conner Moore, left, blocks Eli Coenen during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
16 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Cam Fancher, right, hands the ball off to Marvis Parrish during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
17 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Marvis Parrish runs the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
18 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan talks with the team during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
19 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's head coach Pat Fitzgerlad and the Spartans takes the field during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
20 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Brandon Tullis catches a pass in a drill during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
21 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Brady Pretzlaff, left, and Caleb Wheatland participate in a drill during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
22 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Trent Fraley prepares to snap the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
23 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Darrin Jones Jr. runs the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
24 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's band performs during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
25 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Kai Rios runs after a catch in a drill during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
26 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State basketball's Coen Carr takes photos during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
27 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Leo Hannan throws a pass during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
28 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Zach Washington runs after a catch during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
29 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Alex Weeks punts the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
30 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Alessio Milivojevic, center, throws a pass to Brennan Parachek during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
31 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Andrew Brinson IV CB Bryson Williams, center, tries to pull in a catch as Tyran Chappell, left, defends during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
32 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Cam Edwards runs the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
33 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Derrick Simmons, top, stops Cam Fancher during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
34 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Liam Boyd kicks a field goal during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
35 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Chrishon McCray runs after a catch during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
36 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Jordan Hall, right, stops Kai Rios after a catch during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
37 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Marvis Parrish runs the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
38 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Alessio Milivojevic throws a pass during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
39 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Charles Brantley, center, celebrates after a play during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
40 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's defensive coordinator Joe Rossi calls out to the defense during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
41 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Max Bullough, center, talks with the team during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
42 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Leo Hannan throws a pass during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
43 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Rodney Bullard Jr., center, runs after a catch during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
44 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's NiJhay Burt, center, intercepts a pass intended for Charles Taplin, left, during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
45 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's NiJhay Burt, left, celebrates his interception with Nikai Martinez during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
46 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Aveon Grose intercepts the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
47 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Aveon Grose celebrates after an interception during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
48 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Kai Rios, right, catches the ball as Adam Shaw closes in during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
49 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Kayd Coffman throws a pass during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
50 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Kenneth Williams, left, celebrates a touchdown run with Nick Sharpe during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
51 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Kenneth Williams, center, takes a handoff from Cam Fancher during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
52 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Cam Fancher throws a pass during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
53 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Rodney Bullard Jr., left, nearly caches a touchdown pass as Deuce Edwards break up the play during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
54 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Carlos Hazelwood, left, and Evan Young celebrate after a play during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
55 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Kenny Soares Jr. spins around a bat while competing in a relay hotdog eating competition at the end of the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
56 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Kenny Soares Jr. eats a hotdog while competing in a relay hotdog eating competition at the end of the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
57 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's Kenny Soares Jr., center, celebrates after winning the bat spin relay hotdog eating competition at the end of the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
58 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State's head coach Pat Fitzgerlad addresses the team at the end of the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
59 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State sings the fight song at the end of the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
60 / 60
MSU footballās Spring Showcase: Photos from Spartan Stadium
Michigan State sings the fight song at the end of the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
EAST LANSING ā There Alessio Milivojevic stood at a junior day event for Northwesternās football team. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald came up to him and shook the Wheaton St. Francis quarterbackās hand. Little did they know that handshake was the foreshadow of what was to come just a few wild years later.
Michigan State's Alessio Milivojevic throws a pass during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Alessio Milivojevic throws a pass during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
A couple of Chicago guys, and that wonāt change in the future at Michigan State, because Fitzgerald plans to recruit the area frequently alongside the other fertile grounds his mentor and Spartan icon, Mark Dantonio, used to harvest.
āDeveloping players, developing a program, developing recruiting is all about relationships,ā Fitzgerald said Feb. 4. āAnd I think itās huge. Itās going to be an area, again, when we leave the state of Michigan, weāre going to be in Ohio. Weāre going to be in Indiana, be in Pennsylvania, weāre going to be in Illinois, focused in Chicago. And the reception was awesome in all those areas.ā
Homecomings, in a way, for both Fitzgerald and Michigan State.
āWhen I was in Cleveland, one of the coaches said to me, where you been? And I said, high school,ā Fitzgerald said. āNo, he goes, where's the Spartans been?ā
Sweet home, Chicago
Fitzgeraldās years in the Big Ten as a player, assistant and head coach give him plenty of connections around the Midwest. Nowhere is he more connected than Chicago. Even Milivojevic knew that growing up.
āBeing from the Chicago area, everyone knows who Coach Fitz is,ā the quarterback said. āHeās pretty renowned around there. So everyone has great things to say.ā
From 2006 to 2023 before his firing amid a hazing scandal (heĀ settled a lawsuitĀ for wrongful termination out of court), Fitzgerald recruited 428 freshmen. And 108 of them came from Illinois with a focus on Chicago. Seven of those players came from Loyola Academy alone, where he spent the past three seasons as an offensive analyst helping a new coach, Beau Desherow, set up his program after years as an assistant under John Holocek.
āI had heard, I think through mutual friends, that he might be interested in volunteering, and he actually called me and asked if I could use his help,ā Desherow told The Detroit News. āAnd you know, this is my 22nd year at Loyola, but that first year was my first year as head coach, and I definitely welcomed the opportunity to have him come help us out.ā
Fitzgerald jumped right in to coach the scout team offense ā āthe least glamorous roleā says Desherow ā and immediately gelled with the players. Two of them were his sons, so yeah there was some familiarity there. But Fitzgerald also gave a āmaster class in footballā whenever asked by his fellow coaches. He just stayed busy, even unloading trailers of equipment and picking up trash on the sidelines.
Michigan State's head coach Pat Fitzgerald looks on during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's head coach Pat Fitzgerald looks on during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
āJust a very humble person, you know, just kind of a salt-of-the-earth type of guy,ā Desherow said. āHis passion for the game of football and his passion for educating young people through the game of football is second to none. Iāve never been around someone that has his energy, itās infectious.ā
āIf youāre going to go on a sabbatical and you get the opportunity to be with two of your boys,ā Fitzgerald said at his introductory press conference in December, āwhile they go through back-to-back state championships. One is a quarterback, goes 25-1, and all those kids, it was awesome. I became a much better teacher.ā
And every game Loyola Academy played, Fitzgerald ran into someone he knew. Whether that was conference games or playoff runs during back-to-back 8A Illinois state championships.
āHe knew every single head coach and had some form of relationship with those coaches,ā Desherow said. āAnd it was just really remarkable to see just his recall on kids ā maybe kids that he didn't even recruit or maybe he did recruit, or kids that he had.ā
Returning to fertile grounds
Fitzgerald only had a few short weeks in December and early January to finish early signing day, put together his coaching staff, handle the transfer portal and start recruiting players for the next cycle. And when he got to step four, he started back in familiar stomping grounds in Chicago.
One of his early targets was quarterback Israel Abrams, who committed to Miami (Florida) earlier this month. Fitzgerald went to Montini Catholic himself to make the connection at a program heād picked up five commitments from in the past.
āOne of the interesting things about that is only one of them was offered a scholarship out of high school, and four of them walked on and subsequently earned scholarship,ā Montini coach Mike Bukovsky told The Detroit News. āSo his word has always been golden to us, and he's just a high-character person, and I think he's one of the better guys in this game, to be honest with you.ā
One of those walk-ons Michigan State fans may remember: Joe Spivak, who was a two-star defensive lineman Mark Dantonio recruited in the 2017 cycle. He turned down a Michigan State offer for the chance to play for Fitzgerald, notching 31 tackles and 1Ā½ sacks over four seasons. He wore the No. 1 jersey as a senior captain in 2021. Now, heās on the WWE NXT circuit as the wrestler Tank Ledger, part of the tag team Hank and Tank with former Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Hank Walker. That had Bukovsky and Fitzgerald joking about their own tag team.
āWe were laughing about that,ā Bukovsky said. āAnd Joe was just an unbelievable ball of energy and a great, great young man. Great leader.ā
So is Fitzgerald. Bukovsky remembers going to one clinic and Fitzgerald had a bunch of his teeth replaced. Heād had a mishap in practice:
āHe jumped in to show one of his receivers something on the JUGS machine, and boof, got biffed right in the mouth with a football. He was talking about it and laughing about it.ā
What made Fitzgerald so endearing to players was his blunt honesty ā a guiding principle found in the assistant coaches he brought on to his staff at Michigan State, too.
āHe was a man of his word, and he didnāt use people, he didnāt lie to people,ā Bukovsky said. āHe didnāt oversell people. He said, listen, this is where weāre at right now. Weāre interested in you. We love you as a player, and obviously, as a person. You do your job here, and youāll get an opportunity and we will take care of you in the future.ā
Michigan State's head coach Pat Fitzgerald and the Spartans takes the field during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's head coach Pat Fitzgerald and the Spartans takes the field during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Fitzgerald isnāt a salesman, and that makes pitches resonate. Coaches around the Chicago area, who had many of the same players as young men, share a feeling Fitzgerald squeezes a lot of football out of his guys, and he makes them the best players they can be. Thatās why he could win so many games at Northwestern, going 110-101 with five bowl wins in 17 years (he was 4-20 his final two seasons coming off a top-10 finish in 2020).
āI think heās going to have, really, an opportunity to be successful,ā Bukovsky said. āBecause I think heās smart enough to continue to exploit some of these areas here, and get in here and still influence kids.ā
āThatās ā¦ going to be our focus hereā
Itās evident Chicago will remain a priority in Michigan Stateās recruitment map, though it hasnāt been represented yet in Michigan Stateās first five commitments. So far, two are from Michigan, two are from Ohio and one is from New Jersey. Give it time through the spring recruitment window.
This class of recruits will be an important one for Fitzgerald, beyond simply being his first at-bat. In an era of the transfer portal, Fitzgerald wants to build a solid foundation of high school recruits whoāll stay with the program. Thatās the synthesis of observations he drew in those three seasons at Loyola Academy, his ālearning sabbatical.ā
This winter, Michigan State didnāt have a choice but to draw 31 transfers in order to fill a roster. Itās going to take some time to build a stable, but he feels that the era of Dantonio ā whoās around the program more than he was Fitzgeraldās predecessor ā is a good example of what his program may look like.
āWhen you look back at when this program was where it should be, thatās a top-10 football program,ā Fitzgerald said. āCoach D ā obviously I studied intimately when I was competing against him ā and how he built his rosters. Itās not going to be too far removed from that model. And obviously weāll go anywhere to get players that fit us and want to be here. But really thatās kind of going to be our focus here, especially here in this class.ā
