Michigan State AD Pledges Resources for Fitzgerald's Football Rebuild

Michigan State athletic director Dan Bartholomae has pledged additional resources for the university's football program as first-year coach Pat Fitzgerald works to rebuild the Spartans amid roster shortages, injuries and a three-game losing streak. The commitment, outlined in an October 7 letter to supporters, coincided with Michigan State's October 10 home game against Illinois, where a disputed onside-kick penalty became another setback for Fitzgerald's team.

Bartholomae's plan addresses two major priorities: improving the football roster and renovating Spartan Stadium. Michigan State is pursuing a $500 million stadium renovation, while its broader FOR SPARTA fundraising initiative carries a $1 billion goal, according to The Detroit News.

A separate report by the Detroit Free Press placed Michigan State's annual football budget between $21 million and $25 million, citing The Athletic. That level of funding trails at least half of the 18 Big Ten programs, leaving the Spartans facing a financial challenge as they attempt to compete with better-resourced opponents.

Bartholomae, who joined Michigan State after working at Western Michigan, identified immediate competitiveness as a priority in his letter to alumni, students and donors.

"Football must be resourced to be competitive immediately," Bartholomae wrote.

He also promised that the commitment would be backed by action rather than limited to a statement of intent.

"And they will be," Bartholomae wrote.

His broader message emphasized institutional cooperation and long-term planning.

"We can achieve extraordinary things at Michigan State University by challenging the status quo and continuously aiming higher," Bartholomae wrote. "Most importantly, we will do it together.

Bartholomae also identified transparency as an area requiring improvement, particularly in the athletic department's Spartan Ventures business operation and its fundraising initiatives.

"While both initiatives serve to benefit Spartan Athletics, there's a great opportunity for more transparency, direction and clarity," Bartholomae wrote. "And while I sense urgency in the need for that, it needs to be genuine, true to my own leadership style and in strategic alignment with our goals.

Leadership stability is another concern. Bartholomae took over after predecessor J Batt left for Kentucky on June 15, following a period of repeated administrative and coaching changes at Michigan State.

"That's not the way to thrive," Bartholomae said of the department's leadership turnover.

He acknowledged that previous transitions had disrupted initiatives and weakened confidence among supporters.

"There have been differing philosophies guiding decision making, and leadership transition naturally results in initiatives that are started, only to never be seen to fruition. Stops and starts are frustrating, something I'm well aware of given my own experience with leadership change. I recognize the hesitancy when in the past your commitment hasn't always been reciprocated.

That's why transparency is so important. Earning your trust is a continual process, one that requires consistency and showing up. I'm fully committed to both for the long-term," Bartholomae said.

Fitzgerald's first season has exposed personnel problems that Michigan State expects to address during the offseason. Running back transfer Cam Edwards is out for the season, while linebacker Jordan Hall has missed two games because of separate injuries.

The Spartans have also faced a difficult stretch against Notre Dame, Nebraska and Wisconsin. Those opponents entered their recent matchups with a combined 14-1 record, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Fitzgerald acknowledged the difficulties while discussing the process of establishing relationships within a new team.

"That's just kind of how life works. It's trials, it's tribulations," Fitzgerald said on his weekly radio show.

He described the season as an ongoing learning process for the coaching staff and players.

"It's just kind of Relationship 101. And this is our first year as a staff going through it with the guys and learning a lot of new personalities. This is going to be ongoing through this whole year.

It'll reset in January — hopefully with not 62 new guys and a whole new staff. And a whole new support staff. … Everybody will have lived it. And it's not an excuse for our performance currently.

It's just the storm we're in. You know what? You can have the storm impact you or you can be the storm.

We're somewhere in the middle right now," Fitzgerald said.

The injuries have contributed to Michigan State's difficulty producing substantial offensive gains, protecting its quarterback and limiting explosive plays by opposing offenses, the Free Press reported.

Fitzgerald had previously indicated that changes would be necessary before the next season.

"We'll be a completely different team when we see them in East Lansing next year," Fitzgerald said after Michigan State's September 19 loss at Notre Dame.

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo has publicly backed Fitzgerald, arguing that the football coach suits the university and deserves time to build the program.

"I don't need to be Pat's PR guy, but I love Pat," Izzo said during Big Ten basketball media day.

Izzo cited Fitzgerald's work ethic, personality and energy as reasons for his support.

"I mean, there's fits for places. I think I was a fit for East Lansing myself. And I think we've had some good coaches — some have made it, some haven't.

But some fit the place. And he fits the place. He's got energy galore.

He's a tough blue-collar guy, and that's what he wants to be and that's what he is," Izzo said.

He also expressed confidence in Fitzgerald's long-term prospects despite the team's recent struggles.

"I think you're gonna see Pat Fitzgerald — you know, we've struggled a little bit lately — but he's gonna get it done there. I have no ifs, ands or buts about that. And being the big football fan I am, I hope he gets it," Izzo said.

During the October 10 game against Illinois at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Fitzgerald attempted an onside kick after Michigan State scored to cut the deficit to 31-24 with just under eight minutes remaining.

Freshman Samson Gash sprinted approximately 15 yards down the sideline and recovered the kick, but officials penalized him for being offsides, nullifying the recovery. Television commentary and replay analyst Mike Pereira indicated that Gash appeared to be roughly half a yard behind the kicker when the ball was struck.

A replay review initially raised the possibility that Gash had caught the ball out of bounds, which would have resulted in a five-yard penalty and given Illinois possession without another kick. Further review established that he was inbounds, allowing Michigan State to attempt the kick again.

The Spartans' schedule next includes a home game against Northwestern on October 17, followed by a road matchup against UCLA at the Rose Bowl, according to the Free Press.