Courtney Hawkins is already proving that re-hiring him as a genius move

Just days after being officially re-hired as Michigan State’s receivers coach under Pat Fitzgerald, Courtney Hawkins is already proving that he’s one of the hardest workers in the business.

Other than the fact that he just offered his first recruit since the official announcement (see below), the Spartan legend has been getting in contact with his receiver room to make sure that he has the right guys coming back to help lead the offense in 2026.

Hawkins has gotten reaffirmations from guys like Braylon Collier and Evan Boyd, but now it’ll be up to Nick Marsh, Chrishon McCray, and Rod Bullard to really give him what he wants and return to Michigan State.

Unfortunately, Marsh has already announced his intention to enter the transfer portal when the window opens next month, but the return of Hawkins might change things. There’s been no official word about the two sides talking and reaching an agreement, but I’d be shocked if Hawkins didn’t pursue the talented receiver that he recruited and helped two different coaching staffs land.

Now, he’ll attempt to help a third coaching staff land Marsh in East Lansing.

The move to retain Hawkins (and Brian Wozniak) is already proving to be a genius one by Fitzgerald, and he’s apparently listening to alums, donors, and fans who all wanted to see him back in East Lansing along with Max Bullough. Fitzgerald is making all the right moves so far.

Courtney Hawkins will help get Michigan State out of the gutter

Besides having a track record of getting receivers to the NFL, Hawkins has been known as a hard worker and a coach who players seem to love. His receivers have not been the problem with the offense over the past few years, and guys like Jayden Reed, Jalen Nailor, and even Keon Coleman have given him credit for getting them to the league.

Hawkins will also help assist Fitzgerald in building a culture in East Lansing. Bullough, too, will offer a helping hand there, but Hawkins has seen the ups and downs of the program up close.

He was arguably the top recruiter on the past two staffs, and there’s a good chance he’ll be Fitzgerald’s best, too. One of the top prospects in the country at receiver, Dakota Guerrant, has already raved about the receivers coach and is thrilled to have him back recruiting him at Michigan State.

Not many moves can unite an entire fanbase, but Fitzgerald’s re-hiring of Hawkins is doing just that.

Now if Hawkins can get Marsh to return, Fitzgerald will have “genius” written all over him.