David Pollack EXCLUSIVE CONVO with Michigan State Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald

Summary

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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

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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.

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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)

• 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)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

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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

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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.

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Transcript

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[Pat Fitzgerald]

And how about that Pollock interception in the end zone?

[David]

Well, it's David Pollock and I think

[Pat Fitzgerald]

people going to learn what kind of ball player is. He's got a heart of a lion. I'm real proud of that kid.

[Plexaderm / Amex Advertiser]

This is C ball Get Ball. College football's top show for football analysis, predictions and coach interviews. Now here's your host, three time American,

[David]

seven time Emmy award winner. All right, next on Seball, Get Ball. We got a two time Bronco Nagurski Trophy winner, a two time Chuck McK winner, a two time All American. You don't say this about very many college coaches that come on and coach to come on Caball. Get ball and be a defensive guy. This, this is as good as it gets man. Like two guys that like to hunt, they that like to see the ball and go get it.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

This would be my nirvana. Not going to lie to you.

[David]

I mean this is, this is it man.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

This is the only thing missing for me is a neck roll up here to my ears like

[David]

no doubt back in those days a little bit different. Coach, I want to talk about you. This is like we're having on the new coaches to the power four and just kind of get to know them and their backgrounds and you grew up on the south side of Chicago. What's a tradition that you still have from your Chicago days?

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Yeah, yeah, great question David. I, I grew up in the south burbs, mom and dad, God rest their souls. You know, didn't go to college football was everything, gave me absolutely everything. So I'm a big pizza after a win guy.

[David]

So what kind, what Kind of pizza.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Pretty spoiled. When I was in Chicagoland, I was a big Lou Malnati's guy. My wife loves Giordano, so wins. It was Lou Malnati's for sure. But yeah, man, the thinner, the better, the crispier the better. When I'm on the south side, I go to Vito and Nick's. There's just nothing but great pizza in Chicago.

[David]

Okay, what kind of pizza? Pepperoni.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. Well, thin number one. I mean, for you, like, you guys that, like, believe, like Domino's are important, you know, down in Georgia. But for us, we have, like, real authentic pizza. You know, the toppings are important, but not the essential. But, you know, 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, little salt in there, you know, or Chicago authentic little pepperoni. Jardiner. Pretty big fan of.

[David]

We went to Chicago a couple years ago, me and my wife, and it was an experience, the pizza. I was like, well, this. This is different. This is. This is not what it looks in the South.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Did you do. Did you do the deep dish, thick one?

[David]

Yes, absolutely. The deep. I'm like, this is. I'm like, this is like pie. This is crazy.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Tourist guy. Yeah. You could tell you're not from the region.

[David]

Tourist guy. Big dumb animal. Whatever you want to call me. Coach. So, obviously, we talked about your career. A little bit successful career, but, like, when you getting into coaching, you know, people that know the background. Randy Walker suddenly passes. You step into head coaching at 31, like, I mean, there's no way you were ready. Like, what did you learn about you and how did that. How do you take over that program? And how did that go for you just as a person and as a. As a competitor, as a coach?

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Well, it was a terrible tragedy. And football was secondary in comparison to supporting our players and Tammy Walker and the entire Walker family. And I think we did a really spectacular job with that. We maybe didn't reach the heights win wise, but that was secondary. Like I said, I think I learned a ton about people. You know, when you face that type of tragedy, you know, you're always as a coach, pouring yourself into others. But what we were able to do collectively is just a football family really come together with something that I'll never forget. What I learned about myself personally, that I've got a spectacular wife. We Had a little, you know, Stacy, I'm like, babe, like this is going to be a heavy lift here. What our life was before I say yes, compared to moving forward is going to completely change everything. And she was fully on board and really embraced trying to support our players and in the Walker family at that time. And then, you know, you kind of go through each year and every team was different. But I think I thought I really learned and grew not only as a leader of men, but as a CEO of an organization. You know, it's a completely different role in the, is the head coach. And I think for a number of years I was more of a linebacker coach, head coach, if that makes sense. Like it was like run through the B gap. This shoulder or this shoulder would, you know, and it's bigger than that, you know, it's, it's understanding backgrounds of young men, you know, how they learn, how you can teach them, how you can develop them, you know, holistically, and then putting an organizational structure together, you know, to have that all kind of really, you know, operate at a high level. So, you know, I think that happened and evolved over time and you know, obviously now here at Michigan State come with a, a wealth of experience being in the role for 17 years.

[David]

What did you want to be a head coach? Like, was that an aspiration?

[Pat Fitzgerald]

You know, David, I wanted to be a high school coach. Outside of my mom and dad, my high school coaches had the biggest influence on me. I played for great head coaches, you know, Mike Navarro, Tom Saliga and Larry Low. Kank was my linebacker coach, D.C. and you know, Coach Low King saw things of me I didn't see myself and you know that I thought that's what I wanted to do. And then I went to Northwestern and had unbelievable teammates. We go 15, one of the Big Ten win back to back Big Ten championships. I play for Gary Barnett as my head coach, Ron Vanderlin, and is my DC who goes on to become the head coach at Maryland. At the time, I mean, I was just blessed to have unbelievable coaches and I, I thought I definitely wanted to get into coaching. I just thought it was going to be at the high school level.

[David]

Yeah, I'm a high school football coach now and it's freaking fantastic. It's unbelievable the level you have and when you, you know, you had some time away from the game, like, so I know, like you mentioned Stacy, like, what about your three boys? Like what, what do you guys do? Like you had several years away from the game. What were the most fun things that you guys did together and. And tell me about your boys. Like, are you the dad that can, like, kick it and let them win, or are you the dad that's going to make sure that you do everything you can to beat the absolute crap out of them?

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Yeah, David, When I was younger and they were young, it was all about winning. And then there came this point where I've just gotten shorter and shorter and shorter and they've gotten bigger and bigger and bigger. So I'm really proud of my oldest son. Jack walked down to play for me at Northwestern. All the craziness went down. He decided to transition out being a player and become a student. Coach did that for a year. He's an econ industrial engineering double major. He's been through a lot. I'm really, really proud of him to see him, you know, finish what he started there at Northwestern. And then my middle son, Ryan, plays quarterback for Coach Ference at Iowa. He's a true freshman, had, you know, a group of five offers and, you know, decided he wanted to try to test his game and himself at the highest level. And, you know, Coach Lester, the. The great quarterback coach in OC and obviously Coach Ference, the best of the best, gave him an opportunity to be a Hawkeye. And so he's wrapping up his freshman year. And then my youngest son, Brendan, 17, he's a junior, plays wide out, play some basketball. We were on campus for five minutes here in East Lansing, and he was my first commitment. He's going to walk out and play receiver for me. He's got his junior year wrapping up and then next year. So receiver. What are you doing raising receivers? Man, I got a tight end, a quarterback, and I got a wide out. So I blame Stacy for that. She was much more athletic and smarter than me. But, you know, I guess I was away from the college game, but I was a volunteer dad at my boys high school and Bo Deshro is our head coach that I had the privilege to work with there. And the great staff at Loyola Academy,

[David]

what did you learn from them?

[Pat Fitzgerald]

You know, I think just their love affair for their players. You know, it's not about the salary, it's. It's not about the glamour. It's about just developing young people. And, you know, I learned this a long time ago from Randy Walker. 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. And so to be at that level, we competed for championships multiple years. It was really spectacular. To be a part of it and you kind of. My goal was eventually at one point, if I was able to be in the role long enough to be my boys head coach. I got 28 great days with Jack at Northwestern. I was able to coach Ryan his junior and senior year at Loyola Academy as a volunteer dad and then Brendan last year. But then I'll get B man here as a freshman at Michigan State in a couple years.

[David]

That's cool. So all that. What's the. What's the, what's the family games that we played like? What is, what does that look like in the household? What, what do we compete in the most?

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Yeah, you know, we got this pretty cool little area in our house that we, we would have like the Nerf or the Fisher Price basketballs that were inside and we'd beat the, you know what out of each other. We put that little hockey nets up and played, you know, you know, floor hockey. And those got pretty heated, you know, being in Chicago and at the time the Blackhawks were rolling. My wife was a rock star. She put a hockey rink in our backyard in the winter. And so that was a lot of fun. Yeah, it was fun. It was great. We'd be out, be out on the sheet ice playing, having fun and, you know, and then, you know, we just competed in everything. Now we're transitioning into golf. So I'm not great. The boys are not as.

[David]

Don't do it, coach.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Don't do it. They're terrible. So I'm talking to them right now. If they watch this, I can't wait for this summer. We get a chance to have the Fitz boys outing. You know, we get a foursome, you know, the three of us, and it's, it's a lot of smack being talked and they are absolutely terrible. I still own the belt, you know, I'm still the goat in our house. Which means it's not very good, but

[David]

it's, hey, you're better than them. That's all that matters.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

No doubt. No doubt.

[David]

Yeah, that golf is the most maddening sport I've ever played because like, Pat and I guarantee you're the same guy. What sport in the world do you bring more physicality and effort to? And you don't get better. It's only golf.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Yeah. You can't play it like a linebacker. You just can't. You can't. But I am the number one rated 19th hole player in the country. I will say that I'm very good. And like, we'll, we'll be with some Guys. And they'll be like, hey, let's play a game. And I'll be like, how much money could I lose today? Here you go. Can we just chillax and have some fun? And I live a competitive life, you know, I don't need this in golf. I'm really good.

[David]

Don't need more of it.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

No, I don't even. I. I would like to just get made fun of with. Thanks. You know, slices and bad chips and short putts and, you know, all this stuff. And I just enjoy the game and more importantly, the company. Like, again, what do I miss the most? The camaraderie, right? The football, the locker room, the chill time in the dorms, in the apartments. Just being brothers with each other, you know. You still get that through golf, and especially with my boys. It's awesome.

[David]

Well, I have. I have two things that I do in golf and one thing that I want to do in golf. I will never get in a cart, Pat. Ever. Ever. I'm not going to forfeit four miles and nine holes or eight miles in 18. And I do 25 push ups every single hole. So that's 225 for nine. That's 450 for 18. Every time I leave, I'm a winner because I did something that at least got me better. Now, if I want to change one thing about the sport, you should do this with your boys. One free lick for 18 holes. Like, but before you go to hit, I get to lick you one time. Like, just. I get to hit you so you don't get to be as comfortable and.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

And as. As fun.

[David]

Just relaxed in front of the ball.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Yeah, you're. You're. Yeah, yeah, obviously. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[David]

Now that's a problem.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Now it's a. It would be a problem. Number one, I couldn't do 25 push ups in a round. I will. I will walk occasionally. It's weather permitting. I don't know if you can see the size of his forehead. The SPF that I've got to put on this thing or a ball cap on these ears. Like the sun. A little bit of time out of the sun is good, but it's the Irish curse of.

[David]

You're saying you got the five head, not the forehead.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Oh, my God. A Chevy bumper up there, baby. Yeah, Official right here. Oh, boy.

[David]

All right, well, so. So you have that time off, man, and I bet you wouldn't trade that time in a million years that you got with your boys and your family. What made Michigan State the spot for you.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Yeah, the people you know, I met President Guskiewicz and our great Adj Batt and when we talked about what we believed in, what our values were, you know, where we see the game of football, where we want to take Michigan State football, the alignment was, was right. Exactly what I had when I was winning championships and you know, they put my soul back in me, had it ripped out and those two gentlemen put it right back in. And when the offer came, you know, the deal they had me at, hello. It was a no brainer. You know, I got a lot of family in the Midwest, especially in Chicagoland area. You know, my one sister lives on the south side still and you know, she could be here in about 2 hours and 20 minutes for games.

[David]

240.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Yeah. And then my wife's from Chicago. We were high school sweetheart. So her whole family can make it. I mean it's, it's just a perfect fit. And then I met the staff, I met the players. The facilities are unbelievable. And then the fan base, I mean it is incredible. I mean, 75, 000 in Spartan Stadium. I've been able to participate in the Breslin center supporting coach Izzo. And I was a Munster in our hockey team supporting coach Nightingale. Nightingale. And our number one hockey team in the country. Like this is big time, big time sports here. Our women's basketball, I mean, gymnastics goes on and on. How good our teams are. And just to be back a part of that culture, I feel very fortunate and very blessed.

[David]

Who's the first call you made when you got the job?

[Pat Fitzgerald]

I think I called my boys. Yeah, I think that was, that was it. You know, I reached out to Jack and Ryan that weren't at the house and then let those guys know.

[David]

What did they say?

[Pat Fitzgerald]

They were things I can't say right now. Like they're, they were fired up, man. They, they were fired up. There were some superlatives that were, were shared and yeah, I mean, it's, it's, it's, it's great to be back. I'm honored. I think you learn so much about yourself through adversity and life's not about what happens. It's about how you respond. It's one of the values we'll instill in our guys. I just feel very fortunate. The outpouring of support through the last few years for my players, the families of the guys I coach at Northwestern, my teammates, my coaches, the guys I play with in high school, my friends, it was unbelievable. And then to get, get here and now start to build those relationships, you know, really from the foundational phases, you know, we're digging the hole. In the Midwest, we got basements. You know, we're digging the hole right now to form that concrete here in winter workouts and build this thing on rock and then hopefully start putting some framing up in spring ball. You know, you're building a house, right? You're building a home. And that's what we're working on right now. Really thankful for our guys. I mean, they've been. They've been awesome. And then we'll. We'll take spring break next week and, you know, St. Patty's Day, we'll start spring ball. And I can't wait. If you can't tell what.

[David]

What has changed the most. Coach from Northwestern leaving years off and now you're back, like, what. What. What about the game? Are you like, holy cow.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

That's.

[David]

That's. That's so different.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Yeah, you know, we were dealing with nil or lack thereof, depending how you want to look at it, by which school you were at, you know, as I. As I was, you know, in 2022, 2023, to where now we're in a rev show, rev share world, which is, you know, completely different. But during this time, you know, a bunch of my friends, colleagues, you know, I was going to different schools, you know, talking about what they were doing, what they would do differently if they had resources, you know, how things are structured. So I think we hit the ground running very quickly. You know, we've got a plan here. Not only how we implemented, you know, what we were doing and how we did it in this off season, but kind of as we're really looking forward and we're going to be as competitive as anybody as we start to build this thing. And J. Batt's vision and expectation to have a top 10 athletic department, you know, we have to do our part in football. You know, what Coach Izzo's done speaks for itself. And. And, you know, if I get halfway there, I'll feel like Bon Jovi, you know, I mean, we'll be living out of prayer, but, you know, he's, you know, the best. Unbelievable. And he's been terrific since the day this all kind of transpired. And you're just really excited to, you know, chase his legacy. And then my great friend Mark d', Antonio, you know, has been terrific. We were rookie head coaches in the Big Ten together. And, you know, I've got to tip my hat to Jonathan Smith. You know, Smitty and I have known each other for a long time. A Lot of great people here, a lot of great staff, multiple people I've retained, and then a lot of just terrific young men and families that, that we've been able to, you know, keep here as Spartans. And we're just looking forward to building this thing the right way.

[David]

What, what was the. What was the most important thing that you wanted the guys to know about what you're going to do with your program and how you're going to build it?

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Yeah, it's going to be about relationships, and we're going to pour everything we've got into them, but there is going to be a high level of expectation and standards. And, you know, maybe we don't like where we're at right now, but those standards and expectations are going up. And, you know, my thought was, you know, pretty quickly, I wanted to share that very clearly and concisely to the guys, like, you didn't pick me, but I picked here. And, and, you know, I. I'm going to give you everything I've got. And I understand that you may not want me and you may not want what we're going to do, but that's okay. That's the world we live in now. But if you're going to be here, you need to be all in. And that's what we've seen. And the guys are just been terrific, getting to know each other, building each other up, and we're nowhere where we need to be, but we're. We're on that road. And that's. That's all I could ask of the guys right now.

[David]

How different is this league from when you left it? The Big Ten?

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Yeah. Well, it's a league of champions now. Three straight. You know, it's, you know, I think what with Nil then into rev share what we've done now, is it a perfect system? No. And you and I could probably be on. Be on this for hours, you know, solving world peace when it comes to college athletics. But what we've done is we've really. Talent is spread out, and when the town is spread out now we've got a lot more parity. And you look at the teams that are having, you know, success. You know what Coach Signetti, those young men, that program was able to do, there's nothing but respect in East Lansing for what was accomplished in Bloomington. And, you know, everybody says, well, you. Everybody can do that. Well, no, that's not true. What they were able to put together was spectacular and special. You have to do it your way. You have to do it what fits Your school, and there's a lot of schools that are drastically improved. Good friend Joey McGuire, what he's done at Texas Tech, the list goes on and on, but it takes support, it takes alignment, and it takes great players, and you got to coach them up and you got to keep them together. And, you know, we're working on that here. And I think everybody's a work in progress, but, you know, anybody could do it if you got the right guys. And, you know, we believe we've got a great group here. I'll know a lot more five weeks after St. Patty's Day, but, you know, you just got to pour into them. And if it, you know, with the playoff, anybody can win it, because you got to win it on the field, but you just got to get into the playoff. And that's what I think everybody's working for.

[David]

By the way, what a cool feeling, because it didn't used to be where anybody could win it. That wasn't the case, man. Like, I think that's awesome. And to me, the biggest thing, Pat, about your league, the freaking coaches in your league, my gosh, like, I. I don't think there's a better league of coaches, man, of. Of different backgrounds of guys that are just uber success. I mean, you just threw Chip Kelly as an OC at Northwestern, for gosh sakes. Like, it.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

It's.

[David]

You. You now coming back with your experience, and you're winning. I mean, it's insane, man. When you look around the league, you expand and you bring in a bunch of guys like Lincoln Riley and Dan Lanning. Yes. Thank you so much. I mean, it just goes on and on, man.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Yeah. I mean, top to bottom, you're going to. It's. It's what you want. It's. It's top gun, man. It's the best of the best, you know, And I'll put Michigan State and our fan base up against anybody. I mean, you go back 2015, Coach D had this program in the Final Four. Coaches. I was in the Final Four that year. You know, we can accomplish all those things here. We've just got to do our part. And it's. It's bringing the right talent in, developing the talent holistically, and then giving our fan base, you know, what they richly deserve. And that's a tough, tough, physical football team. That's what Spartan football has always been. I. I said it and I alluded to in my press conference, because I meant that I. I faced it as a player. I coached against it. You know, toughness was born Here, physicality was born here in East Lansing and we've got to get back to that fundamental edge, that mental and emotional edge. And then just that, that era of physicality and, and you know, that's, you got to practice hard, to play hard and that's what we're going to say right. Going on. I mean, and that's, you know, everybody's going to do it their way, but we're going to do it the spartan way. And you know, our guys are, they're embracing it and that's all I could ask right now.

[David]

Some people magically think you find a new level on game day. You ain't gonna find a new level if you ain't practice that level. Like it doesn't just pop in. So that's obviously, you know, something that you're going to instill. What about Coach, when you started to, when you started to make decisions on how you wanted your offense to look like, what did you envision and what led you to Coach Sheridan?

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Yeah, well, I've been watching this offense for a number of years. You know, when Coach Deborah was at Indiana, they, they had it rolling and he was doing a great job and put a lot of stress on our defense. And I reached out to him, I had a staff, I had a OC change and I reached out to him and he was flattered. And you know, coach, give me a, give me a couple days, I got a couple things going on. Well, lo and behold, there he goes, head coach at Fresno State, you know, now you know, he goes this great run to Washington and down to Alabama. Well, it's just, that's great. You love to see coaches have success, but so watch the offense and had a great feeling sense for it. And then you know, we brought Peyton Ramsey to Northwestern from Indiana and you know, Nick Sheridan was a play caller and just the way that Peyton felt about Nick back going back those couple stops ago, you know, you just put guys names on your list and so here, here you kind of got alignment 1, alignment 2. There are other guys I talk to and there are other offenses that I like a lot. But 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. We want to be very, very flexible for our quarterback and do what he does best and give him the most answers to the quiz of football to make him be successful, not make it where he's got a burden, where everything's on you and it's the other way around. Let's make the system where it's going to work for what our quarterbacks can do. So, you know, Nick and I started talking and he knocked, knocked my socks off, man. I mean, it was, you know, the way we saw the game. You know, his dad recruited me. You know, he didn't take the easy road he walked on at Michigan. You know, he fought his tail off as a player and he's got a great line. He asked all of our guys every time, you love football. You love football. He's just, that's just the way he's wired. And so it was kind of a no brainer once we kind of got down that road.

[David]

Coach, you brought something to my brain real quick. Like, I watch football and we've talked about this on the pod recently. Like, to me, the game has obviously changed so much. And there's so much. To me, there's less physicality on the offensive line than I've ever seen in the game. That's my opinion. I'm not asking anybody else to respect that. Okay. And I think that defenses, coach, we finally found some answers. Like defense is finally. They know how to move. We know how to communicate better. We've gotten smarter. We have the communication headset like in, in our ear. Like, how much has defense changed to you since you left? And just being back in it and like having answers more than we've had in the game, it feels like in a while.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Yeah, I think you're right on all that. And that's why I think you go old school, man. I think you got to be explosive, you got to score points.

[David]

But hey, come here. At 215 linebacker and get in the box.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

This is what I saw. I saw it live. I was in Kinnick Stadium as a dad may or may not have had a few libations. Just throwing that out there. This tailgating thing's pretty dang cool. Now I get it.

[David]

You get it now?

[Pat Fitzgerald]

I did it for a year and they got it. They got it wired pretty well in Iowa City. Those families are awesome. The fan base is awesome. But when I watched Indiana, I watched a physical brand of football and they were outstanding up front on both sides of the ball. The second level, their safeties or DBs, their receivers blocked the rear ends off. Those tight ends were physical. The running backs, I mean, it was so. I don't want to hear we've got to spread five wide and play with. I don't want to hear that. And, and you know what? We have this thing up here that we are proud of. In the Midwest, it's called Four Seasons, and we're going to play playoff games, and we want. We want to earn the privilege to put one in here. And there might be some white stuff on the ground. Yep. I'm not. I don't want to talk about anymore, but that thinking about my mind. We need. You need to build who you are to where you're at. And I like that.

[David]

You just. You just got a little. You got a little fiery. I like that.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Yeah.

[David]

By the way, I took a. I took a visit, Pat, as a. As a junior in high school, from the south to Ohio State, and I looked and I was like, mama, what is that white stuff on the ground? And she was like, it's snow. And I'm like, yeah. So it. It is like the. The playoff weather, it can be such a cool thing, and it can be such a. You know, I think a team up north, like, you're going to absolutely welcome some of those Southern teams up there for sure.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

It's all relative, right? I mean, it's all relative, but I, you know, I don't want to get in sidetracked, but, like, just being out of it for a little while and now seeing, like, why can't we move the season up? Why can't we have the national championship game on New Year's Day? Why can't we play playoff games on campuses? I mean, you do it in high school, you do it in the Division 3, Division 2, FCS. I just don't. We do it in the NFL. This is the only level I would move the bowl games of the week after the season. Protect the Bulls, give all the guys a bowl trip and put the playoffs right away. We're done. Forget the. I don't care if I get in trouble. Forget this conference playoffs or championship games. Forget them.

[David]

They don't matter anymore.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

They don't matter. Let's go play playoff games.

[David]

By the way, they. Back in the day, we used to. We used to set our schedules like this. This is the most important thing. Winning the Big Ten championship, winning the sec. And now, obviously, that's changed. All right, I'm gonna get you out of here. But I gotta ask you. I asked you about your oc. What about your dc? What about Joe? And what made you hire him as your dc? And what kind of. What kind of football did you want? Like, what was your. What was your vision for your defense coming back?

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Well, besides having the chest cold, everybody's got. Excuse me. I may meet myself a little more, but I had Joe on My short list. When I was at Northwestern, I just couldn't afford him. Full, full disclosure. So when I got here and he was here, I was like, great. Jackpot. Here we go. And just have had so much respect for the job Joe's done Minnesota, you know, learn, learn from. You know, we studied them a lot when we were at Northwestern. Just a ball coach, man, his attention to detail is outstanding. Again, built up front. Built up front. And that's exactly what we want.

[David]

Sweet. Well, coach, we, we appreciate your time, man. Best of luck. It's good to have men like you back in the game. It makes the game better. It makes these kids better. They'll know it. Whether they know it yet or not, they're going to figure it out quickly, coach, but thank you so much for your time. We really appreciate it.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Now, David, it's great to be back with you and it's an honor and privilege to be back, you know, in a leadership role. Incredibly thankful for everybody here at Michigan State and we look forward to making all of our fans proud. But we got a lot of work to do between now and then. But fired up to be back, my friend.

[David]

Go green. Go white. There you go.

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[David]

If you like the show, please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe. Subscribe.

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[David]

Thank you for listening.