There was only one way for Pat Fitzgerald to conclude his opening remarks Tuesday at his introduction as football coach at Michigan State.
“Go, Green!” he said, his trademark enthusiasm on display.
It wasn’t “Go, Cats!” but had a decent ring to it.
On his 51st birthday, Fitzgerald officially replaced Jonathan Smith, who was fired Sunday after going 4-8 (1-8 Big Ten) in his second season as Spartans coach.
“I’ve been dreaming about this day for a long time,” said Fitzgerald, choking up. “There will be no more motivated coach [than] I will be compared to anywhere else in the country, I promise you that.”
Fitzgerald, fired amid a hazing scandal in July 2023, sued his alma mater for $130 million for wrongful termination and reached an undisclosed settlement with the school in August. Since then, he had conversations with at least eight schools about potential jobs, he said.
“I’ve had moments to reflect now and learn and grow,” he said. “The experience has made me a better leader, a better man, a better husband, a better father and a better coach and has reinforced my commitment to creating an environment that’s going to be built on trust, discipline, communication and accountability.”
Again, Fitzgerald — Northwestern’s leader in coaching wins, with 110 in 17 seasons — referred to himself as “100% vindicated.” He promised a program run with the “highest integrity” and gave a nod to the Spartans’ tense, spirited rivalry with Michigan.
“There’s one game that just means a little bit more, doesn’t it?” he said. “I’ll just leave it at that.”
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