Former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald has signed a five-year contract to become the next head football coach at Michigan State, sources told ESPN.

Michigan State lost eight of its last nine games to finish 4-8 this season and Smith was 9-15 during his two seasons, but just 4-14 in the Big Ten.

Michigan State expected to hire Pat Fitzgerald as next football coach

Pat Fitzgerald, 50, has emerged as the target of Michigan State's coaching search, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Sunday night, confirming a report, and the sides are working toward a deal, which is expected to be finalized in the near future.

Michigan State has fired football coach Jonathan Smith less than two years after hiring him. Athletic director J Batt made the decision Sunday, according to a source. The Spartans lost eight of

Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin is reportedly making preparations for taking over at LSU, including taking some Ole Miss staff members

Lane Kiffin’s move to LSU ended a tense stretch in Oxford. He left Ole Miss after leading the Rebels to a College Football Playoff push with an 11-1 record, and one of the program’s strongest stretches in years.

Pat Fitzgerald is Michigan State’s new football coach. Michigan State made the hiring official Monday. The Detroit News reported Sunday that the university intended to hire Fitzgerald, formerly of Big Ten peer Northwestern,