Ex-Wildcat QBs Guru Joins Spartan Sidelines
Michigan State has tapped former Northwestern offensive mind Mike Bajakian as its new quarterbacks coach. Bajakian arrives fresh off a stint as UMass offensive coordinator and carries a résumé that includes stops at Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Boston College, Utah (interim), and an NFL gig mentoring Jameis Winston with the Buccaneers. He’ll replace Jon Boyer and team up with OC Nick Sheridan to sharpen Alessio Milivojevic, Leo Hannan, Kayd Coffman, and Ryland Jessee, hoping to turn MSU’s recent QB development woes into gridiron gold.
Pat Fitzgerald must’ve been scrolling through an old Rolodex when he found Bajakian—proof that if you coached someone once, you’re forever contractually obligated. Apparently Sheridan needed a babysitter for the quarterbacks, so here comes Mike to rescue wandering signal-callers from existential crises. Fans can rest easy now that Bajakian’s endless parade of coordinator titles will finally culminate in single‐focus QB toil. After all, nothing says “we take development seriously” like hiring the world’s most overqualified button-pusher to teach a freshman how to hail Mary.
Spartan Hockey Sprints Back for GLI Glories
Michigan State’s third-ranked hockey team returns from a three-week break to compete in the annual Great Lakes Invitational. The Spartans open against Ferris State before facing Michigan Tech or Miami (OH) in the next round. MSU will be without several stars—Ryker Lee, Shane Vansaghi, Porter Martone, and Eric Nilson—at the IIHF World Juniors, but it aims to defend its GLI title last won in 2023. Despite missing key personnel, MSU remains heavy favorites against 4–14 Ferris State, a team that once upset Western Michigan.
Nothing says “college hockey” like a midseason hiatus filled with bronze skates at the World Juniors, leaving your team to play glorified youth league. Spartans fans will gather to cheer a squad missing half its roster—because why not turn a regional invitational into a drill team for the U20 circus? Yet somehow MSU remains the betting favorite, proving that in sports, pedigree outweighs actual personnel. Bask in the irony as the proverbial benchwarmers carry the banner—because nothing sells excitement like pucks flying while half your talent is globe-trotting.
Midwest Man Hank Poteat Locks Down Corners
Pat Fitzgerald’s staff overhaul continues with the hiring of Hank Poteat as Michigan State’s cornerbacks coach. Poteat spent the last three seasons at Iowa State, earning a No. 1 national pass defense ranking in 2023. His résumé includes stops at Wisconsin, Kent State, Toledo, and graduate work at Pitt. A former NFL third-round pick with Super Bowl credentials, Poteat replaces Blue Adams and joins a defensive staff featuring Joe Rossi, Max Bullough, James Adams, and Winston DeLattiboudere III.
Nothing screams “innovative defense” like hiring a coach whose son plays cornerback for Tennessee but almost committed to MSU—because nepotism must run deeper than a four-year defensive scheme. Fitzgerald clearly believes Midwest water tastes like coaching genius, so he’s stocking the sideline with cornfield-trained lifers. Fans can sleep soundly knowing Poteat’s NFL mileage will magically translate to college success, even though his top stat last season was averting doom by letting quarterbacks complete 6.2 yards per attempt. Welcome to Spartan Nation: where hiring by geography beats everything.
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