Updating the status of Michigan State football's coaching staff

Michigan State football is undergoing a major transformation under new head coach Pat Fitzgerald, and it is starts with a brand new coaching staff in East Lansing. The new leader of Spartan football has made major headway in that category.

Fitzgerald has been diligent in working to build his staff, taking his time to vet out the best available options in every opening that has presented itself.

At this time, there are roughly 13 openings that are expected to be filled, and at this time, there are only four openings that are left to be filled, and with the transfer portal opening in just under two weeks, they are going to be a priority to fill.

As it stands now, check out what the Michigan State coaching staff currently looks like:

AHC/ST: LeVar Woods (Iowa ST)

Starting off with the biggest move of the offseason, Fitzgerald was able to poach longtime Iowa assistant LeVar Woods to be his assistant head coach and special teams coordinator. Known as one of the best special teams coaches in America, Fitzgerald made it a point to make waves with this hire.

OC: Nick Sheridan (Alabama Co-OC/QB)

Fitzgerald made a polarizing hire, tabbing former Michigan quarterback Nick Sheridan as his offensive coordinator. Sheridan has had vast experience working under Kalen Deboer and Ryan Grubb, bringing an exciting offensive scheme to East Lansing.

Play calling experience for two years at Indiana and a season at Alabama, it will be intriguing to see the transition he makes into calling plays in East Lansing.

QB: VACANT

For now, the role of quarterbacks coach is vacant, as Sheridan has not assumed the title. It is possible that Sheridan takes the role, and serves as quarterbacks coach. But for now, the role remains vacant as Fitzgerald and Sheridan vet candidates to potentially take over the role.

RB: VACANT

Another vacancy on the staff, there is no indications on who or when the hire will be made, or who the candidates are. For now, it is in sit and wait mode as Sheridan vets candidates for who he would like to be his running backs coach.

WR: Courtney Hawkins (Michigan State WR)

With Sheridan's sign off, Fitzgerald has made the move to bring back Courtney Hawkins as wide receivers coach. Hawkins has been with MSU since 2020 and is now going on his third head coach while serving his post coaching the Spartans receivers.

It is no secret how beloved Hawkins is by current and former players, along with his ability to develop and recruit wide receiver talent, it makes sense to keep this Spartans legend in East Lansing.

TE: Brian Wozniak (Michigan State TE)

Another retention from the previous staff, Wozniak impressed Fitzgerald since the new Spartans head man arrived in East Lansing. Now, with a prior friendship with Sheridan, it was a seamless fit to keep Wozniak in East Lansing.

Wozniak has done an outstanding job developing tight ends at both Oregon State and Michigan State, as well as bringing in two strong recruiting efforts in 2024 and 2025. He should be a very welcomed addition to the new staff.

OL: VACANT

A position group that matters just a little bit more than the others, it is imperative that Fitzgerald hits on the offensive line coaching hire. Now with Sheridan in place, the two can align in their vision for who they see taking over this role.

DC: Joe Rossi (Michigan State DC)

Joe Rossi made a ton of strong impressions on Fitzgerald during his time as Minnesota and Rutgers's defensive coordinator and that led to Fitzgerald wanting to keep Rossi around as the team's defensive coordinator.

Rossi won the Spartans fanbase over with his performance to end the 2025 season, and getting Fitzgerald's help, there is no debating whether or not Rossi can return to his Minnesota form, and the potential he had coming to East Lansing in 2024.

Co-DC/LB: Max Bullough (Notre Dame LB)

If the hiring of Woods didn't happen, this would have been the biggest hire of the offseason. Fitzgerald got Bullough to come home, leaving a very strong post at Notre Dame, and gave him the co-defensive coordinator tag, while he also will coach linebackers.

Bullough is an up and coming star in the coaching ranks, and despite being a touch inexperienced, should bring an energy the Spartans have lacked in recent years.

DL: Winston DeLattiboudere (Arizona Cardinals DL)

It has been said a ton already, but yet again, this was another massive hire by the Spartans. Credit Rossi's connection to DeLattibourdere, which drew him to East Lansing over other power conference jobs, and he is another hungry young up and coming coach.

DeLattiboudere's rise to getting an NFL job should show the prowess he has a young coach, and while his recruiting is still somewhat of a question mark, he should be able to adapt to the college game seamlessly.

Rush ends: VACANT

It has been indicated that MSU will be hiring a rush ends coach to work on pass rushing alongside DeLattiboudere on the defensive line. There is no indications who this hire could be, and with a DL coach in place, they will take their time with this hire.

S: James Adams (Michigan State S)

Another retention, James Adams was highly thought of by Rossi and made a strong impression on Fitzgerald since his arrival, thus keeping him on staff in East Lansing.

Adams had a very strong resume coming to East Lansing in 2025, and should still be thought of as a very strong asset in the Michigan State backfield.

CB: Hank Poteat (Iowa State CB)

A Super Bowl winner, and 10-year NFL veteran, Poteat has made a nice career for himself in coaching at the collegiate level. While the hire has not been made official, reports have indicated that it is set to happen.

Poteat will be coming over from Iowa State, with having prior experience working for Wisconsin, Toledo and Kent State. He will bring power conference experience with an NFL flare to coaching the Michigan State defensive backfield.

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Updating the status of Michigan State football's coaching staff