See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
EXCLUSIVE CONVO with Michigan State Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald
Release Date: February 26, 2026
Host: David Pollack
Guest: Pat Fitzgerald, Head Coach, Michigan State
Episode Overview
This edition of See Ball Get Ball features a deep, candid interview with Pat Fitzgerald, the newly appointed head coach at Michigan State and longtime former leader at Northwestern. The episode dives into Fitzgerald’s upbringing, the personal and professional lessons learned from adversity, the influence of family, and his vision for restoring Spartan football. Fitzgerald and Pollack (both defensive-minded, old-school football men) connect on values, competitive drive, and the state of the modern college football landscape.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Chicago Roots, Family & Traditions
(01:43 - 03:16)
- Fitzgerald reminisces about growing up in the south suburbs of Chicago, sharing his family’s love of football and post-game pizza traditions.
- He describes his favorite Chicago pizza spots (Lou Malnati’s, Vito & Nick’s) and his go-to pizza toppings.
“I’m kind of a guy that I like the meat lovers. It's pretty good, you know, the more the merrier...but if I were to go, I'd go pepperoni, bell peppers, banana peppers, and maybe some mushrooms, maybe some olives…or Chicago authentic, little pepperoni, jardiniera.” — Pat Fitzgerald (02:42)
2. Early Coaching Experiences & Sudden Ascension
(03:36 - 05:49)
- Fitzgerald recounts being thrust into the head coaching job at Northwestern after the passing of Randy Walker. He emphasizes the importance of supporting players through tragedy.
“It was a terrible tragedy. And football was secondary in comparison to supporting our players and Tammy Walker and the entire Walker family…What we were able to do collectively is just a football family really come together with something that I'll never forget.” — Pat Fitzgerald (04:07)
- He discusses learning about organizational leadership and evolving from a position coach mentality to a CEO approach.
3. Coaching Aspirations & High School Influence
(05:49 - 06:36)
- Fitzgerald originally aspired to be a high school football coach, deeply influenced by his own prep coaches and community.
“Outside of my mom and dad, my high school coaches had the biggest influence on me ... I thought that's what I wanted to do.” — Pat Fitzgerald (05:53)
4. Family, Fatherhood & Time Away from Coaching
(06:36 - 10:50)
- During his break from college coaching, Fitzgerald enjoyed quality time with his wife Stacy and their three athletic sons (Jack, Ryan, and Brendan).
- Describes competitive household games, backyard hockey rinks, and the joy (and trash talk) of golf with his sons.
“I still own the belt, you know, I’m still the goat in our house. Which means it’s not very good, but it’s—hey, you’re better than them. That’s all that matters.” — Pat Fitzgerald & David Pollack (10:30–10:55)
- Emphasizes the value of coaching his sons at various levels and cherishing those moments as the best part of his break.
5. Returning to College Football: Choosing Michigan State
(13:12 - 14:46)
- Fitzgerald explains his decision to join Michigan State, highlighting alignment with university leadership and Midwest family ties.
“They put my soul back in me...When the offer came, you know, the deal, they had me at hello. It was a no-brainer.” — Pat Fitzgerald (13:24)
- He describes the welcoming community, elite facilities, and excitement for campus sports culture (football, basketball, hockey).
6. Rebuilding Phase: Philosophy & Standards
(15:05 - 19:12)
- Fitzgerald discussed calling his sons first after accepting the MSU job, using adversity as a teaching point for his players.
- Focuses on building through relationships but with clear, high standards:
“…you didn’t pick me, but I picked here. I’m gonna give you everything I’ve got. If you’re gonna be here, you need to be all in.” — Pat Fitzgerald (18:23)
- Lays out that the team is currently in "foundational phases," digging the hole and pouring the concrete for a new culture.
7. Evolution of College Football: NIL, Rev Share & Parity
(16:22 - 20:51)
- Pollack and Fitzgerald discuss the dramatic changes in college football: NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and new revenue sharing models.
- Fitzgerald notes improved parity and the wide distribution of talent:
“Talent is spread out, and when the talent is spread out, now we’ve got a lot more parity ... with the playoff, anybody can win it, because you’ve got to win it on the field.” — Pat Fitzgerald (19:18)
- Praises the strength of Big Ten coaching (“top to bottom, you’re gonna—it’s what you want. It’s Top Gun, man. It’s the best of the best.” — 21:32)
8. Building the Michigan State Program: Identity & Toughness
(21:32 - 23:03)
- Fitzgerald aims to restore Michigan State’s “Spartan way”—physical, tough, and fundamentally sound football.
“Toughness was born here, physicality was born here in East Lansing, and we’ve got to get back to that fundamental edge ... We’re gonna do it the Spartan way.” — Pat Fitzgerald (21:32)
- Stresses practice intensity and building physical identity.
9. Staff Philosophy: OC and DC Selections
(23:03 - 29:24)
- Offensive Coordinator (Nick Sheridan):
- Attracted by the physical, flexible DeBoer/Sheridan system and prior ties with Peyton Ramsey.
“We want to be built from the inside out. We want to be a line of scrimmage team and we want to be quarterback centric ... Nick and I started talking and he knocked my socks off, man.” — Pat Fitzgerald (23:03)
- Attracted by the physical, flexible DeBoer/Sheridan system and prior ties with Peyton Ramsey.
- Defensive Coordinator (Joe Rossi):
- Longtime respect; “just a ball coach ... his attention to detail is outstanding. Again, built up front. Built up front. And that's exactly what we want.” — (28:52)
- Emphasis on adapting new-school innovations but prioritizing smashmouth, Big Ten football—especially for northern teams in playoff conditions.
“You need to build who you are to where you’re at. And I like that.” — Pat Fitzgerald (27:41)
10. College Football’s Future: Playoffs, Schedules, and Bowl Games
(27:41 - 28:52)
- Fitzgerald advocates for playoff games on campus, an earlier championship game, and reconsidering the role of conference championships.
“Let’s go play playoff games ... conference playoffs or championship games, forget them—they don’t matter anymore.” — Pat Fitzgerald (28:24)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Coaching Philosophy:
“The power of influence you have as a coach is one of the greatest powers you'll ever have. It's like being a father, being a husband.” — Pat Fitzgerald (08:48)
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About Rejoining the Game:
“You learn so much about yourself through adversity and life's not about what happens. It's about how you respond.” — Pat Fitzgerald (15:05)
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On Big Ten’s Coaching Depth:
“...the freaking coaches in your league, my gosh, like, I. I don't think there's a better league of coaches, man, of different backgrounds, guys that are just uber success.” — David Pollack (21:05)
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Golf and Locker Room Camaraderie:
“I am the number one rated 19th hole player in the country. I will say that. I'm very good...I live a competitive life, you know, I don’t need this in golf. I’m really good.” — Pat Fitzgerald (11:14)
Important Timestamps
- 01:43 – Fitzgerald on Chicago upbringing and pizza
- 04:07 – Early Northwestern head coaching, legacy of Randy Walker
- 06:36 – Fatherhood, coaching sons, family games
- 13:24 – Why Michigan State was the right fit
- 16:22 – What’s changed most in college football since leaving
- 19:18 – Big Ten’s evolution and competitive parity
- 21:32 – Identity and vision for Spartan football
- 23:03 – Offensive identity, hiring Nick Sheridan
- 25:48 – How defense and offensive line play are changing
- 27:41 – Weather and playoff football in the Big Ten
- 28:52 – On hiring defensive coordinator Joe Rossi
- 29:42 – Fitzgerald’s closing thoughts and gratitude
Overall Tone & Takeaways
This episode feels like an authentic, good-natured back-and-forth between two classic football voices who value tradition, family, and character as much as X’s and O’s. Fitzgerald displays humility, humor, and clear intent for a tough, principled rebuild at Michigan State, while Pollack draws out rich stories and reveals Fitzgerald’s competitive fire. Essential for any Big Ten fan, college football junkie, or leadership-minded listener.