2026 Michigan State Spartans football team

Last updated

2026 Michigan State Spartans football
Michigan State Spartans logo.svg
Conference Big Ten Conference
Record0–0 (0–0 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan (1st season)
Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi (3rd season)
Co-defensive coordinator Max Bullough (1st season)
Base defense Multiple 4–2–5
Home stadium Spartan Stadium
Seasons
←  2025
2027 →
2026 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Illinois  0–0  0–0 
Indiana  0–0  0–0 
Iowa  0–0  0–0 
Maryland  0–0  0–0 
Michigan  0–0  0–0 
Michigan State  0–0  0–0 
Minnesota  0–0  0–0 
Nebraska  0–0  0–0 
Northwestern  0–0  0–0 
Ohio State  0–0  0–0 
Oregon  0–0  0–0 
Penn State  0–0  0–0 
Purdue  0–0  0–0 
Rutgers  0–0  0–0 
UCLA  0–0  0–0 
USC  0–0  0–0 
Washington  0–0  0–0 
Wisconsin  0–0  0–0 
Championship: December 5, 2026
As of January 6, 2026
Rankings from AP poll

The 2026 Michigan State Spartans football team will represent Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2026 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Spartans will play their home games at Spartan Stadium located in East Lansing, Michigan, and will be led by first-year head coach Pat Fitzgerald.

Contents

Offseason

Coaching changes

Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, the school fired head coach Jonathan Smith after two seasons. [1] On December 1, 2025, the school named former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald the team's new coach. [2] Fitzgerald retained defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, receivers coach Courtney Hawkins, safeties coach James Adams, and tight ends coach Brian Wozniak. [3] Former MSU linebacker Max Bullough was hired as a co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach [4] and LeVar Woods was named special teams coach. [5]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResult
September 5 Toledo *
September 12 Eastern Michigan *
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
September 19at Notre Dame *
TBA Illinois
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
TBA Nebraska
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
TBA Northwestern
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
TBA Oregon
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
TBA Washington
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
TBAat Michigan
TBAat Rutgers
TBAat UCLA
TBAat Wisconsin
  • *Non-conference game

Personnel

Coaching staff

NamePosition
Pat FitzgeraldHead Coach
Joe RossiDefensive Coordinator (retained)
Max BulloughCo-Defensive Coordinator & LB Coach
James AdamsSafeties Coach
Hank PoteatCornerbacks Coach
Winston DeLattiboudere IIIDefensive Line Coach
Nick SheridanOffensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach
Mike BajakianQuarterbacks Coach
Devon SpaldingRunning Backs Coach
Nick TabaccaOffensive Line Coach
Courtney HawkinsWide Receivers Coach (retained)
Brian WozniakTight Ends Coach (retained)
LeVar WoodsSpecial Teams Coordinator & Assistant Head Coach
Joel WelshStrength & Conditioning Coach
Jacob SchmidtChief of Staff & Program Operations
Bryan GasserGeneral Manager

References

  1. ↑ "Michigan State fires Jonathan Smith: Top candidates, transfers, recruits". ESPN.com. November 30, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Michigan State hires Fitzgerald, touts 'new era'". ESPN.com. December 1, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Michigan State football coaching hire tracker: Who has Pat Fitzgerald hired?". Spartan Avenue. December 21, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  4. ↑ Bondy, Robert. "It's official! MSU announces hiring of Max Bullough as co-DC, LBs coach". Spartans Wire. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Why Pat Fitzgerald poaching Iowa coordinator is key move to begin Michigan State tenure". CBS Sports. December 19, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
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