Overview
- Fitzgerald has signed a five-year contract with Michigan State, according to ESPN, with multiple outlets reporting the deal was finalized Monday.
- The school plans to introduce Fitzgerald on Tuesday, and specific financial terms of his contract have not been disclosed.
- The move comes one day after Michigan State dismissed Jonathan Smith, who went 9-15 overall and 4-8 this season, with ESPN noting Smith is owed more than $30 million.
- Fitzgerald led Northwestern for 17 seasons with a 110-101 record, two Big Ten West titles and five bowl victories.
- He was fired by Northwestern in 2023 following a hazing investigation, denied wrongdoing, and reached a confidential settlement in his wrongful-termination suit in 2025, a backdrop that has prompted both support and criticism of the hire.