The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Michigan State: a football coaching history

National Program II#55 of 138–
See Michigan State’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Duffy Daugherty
0 Dynasty · 8 Blue-Blood seasons
Built by
Biggie Munn
National Program II → Blue Blood (+31.7)
The fall
Duffy Daugherty
Blue Blood → Power Program II (−14.3)
Right now
Pat Fitzgerald
in year 1 — too new to place in Michigan State's history

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)BachmanMunnDaughertyPerlesSabanDantonio19401960198020002020

Every coach

2026–now
Pat Fitzgeraldshort tenure
0–0
2024–2025
Jonathan Smithshort tenure
9–15
2023–2023
Harlon Barnettshort tenure
2–8
2020–2023
Mel Tuckercaretaker🏆 COY
Mel Tucker held Michigan State at Power Program III for 4 seasons.
−9.5
20–14
2007–2019
Mark Dantoniobuilder
Mark Dantonio raised Michigan State from National Program I to Power Program I.
+15.8
114–57
2003–2006
John Smithcaretaker
John Smith slid Michigan State from Power Program III to National Program I in 4 seasons.
National Program I
22–26
2002–2002
Morris Wattsshort tenure
1–2
2000–2002
Bobby Williamscaretaker
Bobby Williams held Michigan State at Power Program III for 3 seasons.
Power Program III
15–17
1995–1999
Nick Sabancaretaker
Nick Saban held Michigan State at Power Program III for 5 seasons.
Power Program III
34–24
1983–1994
George Perlescaretaker
George Perles moved Michigan State from National Program I to Power Program II in 12 seasons.
+10.7
73–62
1980–1982
Frank Waterscaretaker
Frank Waters slid Michigan State from Power Program II to Power Program III in 3 seasons.
−10.5
10–23
1976–1979
Darryl Rogerscaretaker
Darryl Rogers moved Michigan State from Power Program III to Power Program II in 4 seasons.
Power Program II
24–18
1973–1975
Dennis Stolzcaretaker
Dennis Stolz held Michigan State at Power Program II for 3 seasons.
Power Program II
19–13
1954–1972
Duffy Daughertysustainer
Duffy Daugherty kept Michigan State a national power for 8 seasons.
−14.3
109–69
1947–1953
Biggie Munntransformer
Biggie Munn took Michigan State from National Program II to Blue Blood.
+31.7
54–9
1936–1946
Charlie Bachmancaretaker
Charlie Bachman held Michigan State at National Program I for 10 seasons.
National Program I
52–29