Pat Fitzgerald is a culture guy. That’s been obvious since the minute he was hired at Michigan State.
Fitzgerald is the kind of coach that will build a strong culture and let everything else fall into place. When everyone is fighting for the same goals, the wins usually come. Since he was hired, Fitzgerald has brought back some cool traditions — like the rooming at Case Hall during fall camp — while also bringing in some of his own like the No. 1 jersey being voted on by the team.
He’s also immersed himself in Michigan State culture.
So much so, in fact, that he put a smile on every Michigan State fan’s face when he stopped by the Big Ten Network set to speak after practice. He brought an interesting gift with him that just screams Michigan State culture. He brought the BTN crew some Melting Moments ice cream sandwiches.
Nothing like some Melting Moments ice cream sandwiches to start off the Training Camp Show with @MSU_Football 🍦 pic.twitter.com/UKA0k1GtSk
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) August 13, 2026
This may seem like a small gesture, but it means a lot to Michigan State fans that Fitzgerald is this much of a ball-knower. He gets it. Every Michigan State fan has had a Melting Moments ice cream sandwich and if you haven’t, you need to drive yourself to East Lansing immediately and get yourself one. It’s a life-changing experience.
Fitzgerald knows how to win fans over and just handing the Big Ten Network crew a few ice cream sandwiches got at least one person to buy in (kidding, it was definitely more).
All jokes aside, it’s cool to see a guy who spent his entire life with one school completely embrace another one that he now calls home. He’s done if almost effortlessly.
Pat Fitzgerald is following the blueprint
Mark Dantonio laid out the blueprint for success at Michigan State and it’s taken six years for someone to finally follow it.
Jonathan Smith and Mel Tucker took their own paths and it didn’t quite work out while Fitzgerald is doing everything that Dantonio would do, culture-wise. He’s bringing back a culture of toughness and accountability and he even hit his team with a “why not us?” speech a-la Dantonio.
As long as Fitzgerald follows the blueprint on the field, it’s pretty clear that he’s going to find success in East Lansing. Michigan State and Fitzgerald seem to fit each other like a glove.
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