Pat Fitzgerald's Michigan State tenure off to rocky start with concerning hire

Bajakian's work in 2025 in no way suggests he should have been given an opportunity at a power conference program, but considering he's familiar with Fitzgerald after spending three seasons (2020-22) as his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Northwestern, merit clearly wasn't most important when making the hire. Familiarity was.

That could cost Michigan State in 2026. These were Northwestern's points per game (and FBS rank) with Bajakian as offensive coordinator:

• 2020: 24.7 points per game (No. 93 of 128)
• 2021: 16.6 points per game (No. 125 of 130)
• 2022: 13.8 points per game (No. 128 of 131)

The unit also struggled in his last season in the role in 2024, averaging 22.1 points per game (No. 106 of 133).

His recent history doesn't spark confidence for a quick turnaround for Michigan State, which went 4-8 this season, its fifth losing season in the last six years. Fitzgerald's struggles at the end of his Northwestern tenure — the team went 4-20 in his last two seasons as head coach — revealed a coach slow to adapt to the transfer portal era, and the unimpressive hire for the key position coach role suggests he may not have evolved enough since being fired in July 2023 to be a long-term answer in East Lansing.

Fitzgerald deserves a healthy dose of skepticism for his selection of quarterbacks coach. The questionable pick signals that initial concerns over his hiring were justified.