Pat Fitzgerald’s first season in East Lansing is not going to plan, but that’s doesn’t mean that the future isn’t bright for the Michigan State football program.
Fitzgerald came to Michigan State looking to compete right away and while that hasn’t happened, he’s bringing back a strong culture and that’s being noticed by recruits. The wins will eventually come, but in today’s college football, the biggest spenders are usually the biggest winners.
You can be a great coach but if you don’t have the money to build a roster that can compete with the Alabamas, Ohio States, or Georgias of the world, you’re just going to live in mediocrity purgatory. Michigan State found that out with Jonathan Smith.
The Spartans haven’t been spending as much as they’ve needed to in order to compete in the Big Ten and you’re seeing the results — no bowl berths in five years.
New athletic director Dan Bartholomae vowed to change that and he said that he wanted to spend in the top half and then the top third of the Big Ten on the football roster. Michigan State was valued as the 10th highest-spending team in the Big Ten. Unfortunately, that’s not going to cut it when Ohio State, Oregon, USC, and Indiana are spending nearly double.
Bartholomae made a big promise, but delivering is another thing.
Fortunately, known Michigan fan agitator and FOIA specialist (those who know, know) Justin Spiro had a nice scoop that should make Spartan fans happy. He appeared on Locked On Spartans with Matt Sheehan and shared that Michigan State is planning on spending in the “high-30s” this offseason. That number would put Michigan State in the top-five range for Big Ten spending in the same tier as Ohio State, USC, Michigan, and Indiana.
Spending this beautiful bye week day with the FOIA Master himself @DarkoStateNews
— Fireball sommelier (@Sheehan_Sports) October 28, 2026
We get to his Ann Arbor adventures eventually...but first, will Pat Fitzgerald get the assets he needs this upcoming off-season? 💰https://t.co/rI7QUf9oaB pic.twitter.com/bp3ZvYbzO1
It looks like help is on the way for Fitzgerald in the form of a Brinks truck. He’ll take it.
Michigan State needs to show immediate results
If this rumored spending number is true, Michigan State needs to not only show immediate results with a higher-ranked portal class, but it also needs it to translate into wins on the field next season. No more bowl-less campaigns for Spartan football with a budget in the high-$30 million range.
It starts with making a bowl game and that should be the bare minimum for Fitzgerald next season. He’s going to have the resources to find help at running back, receiver, on the offensive line, and all over the defense. He could even shop for a quarterback if he decides he wants an open battle again.
The results need to be immediate with this kind of spending.
Although the pressure on Fitzgerald will be turned up a notch or two, this is the kind of dedication to football that Spartan fans have been waiting years for.
There’s light at the end of this very dark tunnel.
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