Michigan State football has made its move, parting ways with Jonathan Smith, and all signs now point to Pat Fitzgerald becoming the Spartans’ next head coach.
With the transition getting ready to begin, Fitzgerald’s first major task in East Lansing will be assembling a coaching staff, a process that often proves just as crucial as the head-coaching hire itself.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA defensive-minded coach by trade, Fitzgerald will no doubt leave his imprint on that side of the ball. Still, his defensive coordinator selection remains a pivotal decision, one that could shape MSU’s identity from day one.
Offensively, his hire feels unpredictable, but defensively, there’s a clearer path, and several candidates stand out as logical fits under Fitzgerald.
Here are five potential options for Michigan State’s defensive coordinator position:
Joe Rossi (Michigan State DC)
Michigan State defensive coordinator Joe Rossi looks on during the first quarter in the game against Penn State on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.Let's get the obvious one out of the way, could Fitzgerald retain Joe Rossi? It is more of a possibility than one would initially think. Between the two's time against one another at Northwestern and Minnesota, there is a lot of familiarity, and it is said that Fitzgerald is fond of Rossi.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRossi produced top-20 defenses at Minnesota, and while his time at MSU has not gone seamlessly, the improvement his unit showed in 2025 is commemorable. Rossi would also be a beacon for Fitz to use in retaining players that are currently in the locker room.
Either way, trust in Fitzgerald is key, and if he feels retaining Rossi is the right move, then fans should back that decision.
Phil Parker (Iowa DC)
Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker watches during a spring NCAA football practice, Thursday, March 30, 2023, at the University of Iowa Indoor Practice Facility in Iowa City, Iowa. 230330 Iowa Spring Fb 035 JpgReady for the dream candidate? Phil Parker is an MSU alum that has an affection for the Spartans program. Furthermore, if there is one coach outside of Kirk Ferentz that Parker has an affection for, it is Fitzgerald.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere is no need to sell Parker as a hire, his track record at Iowa speaks for itself. One of the premier defensive coordinators in the sport, he would be a grand slam hire if Fitzgerald were able to pull it off.
Tim McGarigle (Northwestern DC)
Northwestern Wildcats defensive coordinator Tim McGarigle watches during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.Heading into Fitzgerald's past, Tim McGarigle reuniting with Fitzgerald makes a ton of sense for both parties. A Northwestern alum, McGarigle was coached by Fitzgerald, when he was just a linebackers coach, and later joined Fitzgerald's defensive staff.
After David Braun took over at Northwestern, McGarigle was promoted and given the DC job with the Wildcats. He has excelled in the role, too, and would be a strong hire at MSU.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFamiliarity with the conference, familiarity with Fitzgerald and bringing a strong identity to the MSU defense makes this potential hire make a ton of sense.
Jim Leonhard (Denver Broncos AHC/Defensive PGC)
Interim Wisconsin head coach Jim Leonhard during a game on November 26, 2022, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.Does Jim Leonhard want another crack at collegiate coaching at the highest level? Now getting a taste of the NFL, that isn't a guarantee, but if he does want back into the game, Michigan State makes a ton of sense.
There is no indication whether or not Fitzgerald and Leonhard have a relationship, although with all the overlap the two would have had during their stints at Northwestern and Wisconsin, they certainly know each other.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLeonhard was a strong defensive coordinator at Wisconsin, and is a part of the operation of a strong NFL defense with the Denver Broncos right now. Certainly, he would bring a strong pedigree with him to a collegiate job.
Renaldo Hill (Carolina Panthers DBs coach)
Nov 27, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsFitzgerald was a linebacker, and he will certainly make sure that position group is covered, which makes adding a DC with a defensive backs background intriguing. A candidate that is off the beating path, that could make a ton of sense, is Renaldo Hill.
Hill, an MSU defensive back from 1998–2000, has carved out a very nice NFL coaching career for himself. Highlighted by a two year stint as a defensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers, Hill has led some very good secondaries in the NFL.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFitzgerald has made a defensive coordinator hire from the NFL ranks before, and he could go back to that route if he wants to bring a qualified, former Spartan back home.
BONUS: Max Bullough (Notre Dame LBs coach)
Notre Dame linebackers coach Max Bullough screams in a drill during a practice Friday, August 2, 2024, at the Irish Athletics Center in South Bend.There is no way this process is going to commence without Max Bullough's name coming up. The former Spartan is one of the hottest up and coming names in the coaching world. Excelling as a linebackers coach with Notre Dame, Bullough is quickly becoming a name to target for DC and head coaching positions.
Now, why is he not a full member of the list? Admittedly, with the need and desire to flip this program around in an immediate fashion, I do not believe that Fitzgerald will put his eggs in the basket of someone that has not had experience calling plays.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementI do believe MSU makes a run at bringing Bullough in, but I can't see him being the main defensive coordinator in the room.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Five potential candidates to be Michigan State's defensive coordinator
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