Pete Thamel Names Former Big Ten Powerhouse That's Behind Right Now

The Michigan State Spartans were once one of the premier programs in the Big Ten under head coach Mark Dantonio.

From 2010 to 2017, the team rattled off six double-digit-win seasons and a College Football Playoff appearance. However, they haven't been able to get back to that level of play since then. Dantonio coached two more seasons after that, going 7-6 both years. He elected to retire before the 2020 season.

Michigan State Has Fallen Far From Its Dantonio-Era Heights

Dantonio was replaced by Mel Tucker. He spent four seasons at Michigan State, going 20-14 during that run. His best season was in 2021, when he led the Spartans to an 11-2 record. He followed that up with a 5-7 season, and then, despite a 2-0 start in 2023, he was let go after an off-the-field incident. He was replaced by Oregon State Beavers head coach Jonathan Smith.

Smith went 34-35 in his six seasons at Oregon State. But he went 18-7 his last two years, earning him the job in East Lansing. However, his run was short, as he went 9-15 in his two seasons. He was let go and replaced with Pat Fitzgerald.

Michigan State’s head coach Pat Fitzgerald calls out to players during football practice. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Fitzgerald spent 17 seasons as the head coach of the Northwestern Wildcats. He went 110-101 during his tenure, taking Northwestern to new heights. He had three double-digit win seasons and led the Wildcats to two Big Ten Championship Game appearances. He's now tasked with getting Michigan State back to being a Big Ten contender.

Pete Thamel Warns Pat Fitizgerald Faces Major Rebuild at Michigan State

On the "College GameDay Podcast," ESPN's Pete Thamel said he feels the Spartans have a talent disadvantage and that it's going to take time to rebuild them.

"I just think from a pure talent perspective, they are behind right now and they're going to have to build it like they used to build it at Michigan State through recruiting and through retention," Thamel said.

Fitzgerald Must Rebuild Michigan State Through Recruiting and Retention

Fitzgerald brings plenty of experience to the job after spending 17 seasons at Northwestern. But Thamel believes Fitzgerald has a significant challenge ahead of him. The issue isn't simply coaching. Michigan State needs to improve its talent base.

As Thamel pointed out, the Spartans are currently behind from a pure talent perspective. That means Fitzgerald will have to rebuild the program through the same method that helped Michigan State become a power under Dantonio: recruiting and retention. That process won't happen overnight.

Michigan State needs to identify high-level recruits, develop them and keep them in East Lansing long enough to build the depth required to compete in the Big Ten.

Fitzgerald has already proven he can build a competitive program. Now, he has to prove he can do it again at Michigan State, and this time, against an even deeper Big Ten.

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