Since 2026
Winningest coach in Northwestern history (two Big Ten West titles, 2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year) before being fired in 2023 amid a hazing and abuse scandal involving allegations of sexual abuse and racial discrimination within the program. Fitzgerald denied wrongdoing and sued Northwestern for $130M; the parties reached an undisclosed settlement in August 2025. Hasn't coached a game since 2022. Hired by new MSU AD J Batt in December 2025.
Record & context
Lifetime record110–101 (17 seasons, Northwestern)
Current program1st season at Michigan State
Years in system—
ATS contextNo single published career ATS figure Michigan State fired Jonathan Smith on Nov. 30, 2025 after back-to-back losing seasons (5-7 in 2024, 4-8/1-8 Big Ten in 2025) — a stunning outcome given Smith had signed a 7-year, $52.85M deal just two years earlier. MSU lost 8 of its final 9 games in 2025.
Previous season4-8 (1-8 Big Ten)
Compensation
Salary$5.0M
SourceCoach salary per The State News (FOIA'd 5-yr, $30M contract; $4M base + $1M supplemental in Year 1). Separately, MSU is paying fired coach Jonathan Smith a $32.5M buyout through 20
Designationreported
Confidence—
Figures are labeled by designation. Estimated values are not official contract terms.