Dust off those jerseys, Spartan fans. The 130th season of Michigan State Football is upon us. From the MSU traditions we know and love, to new leadership on the sideline, there’s plenty to be excited about this year. So, we’re adding to the hype with five things we love about football season. Some new, some old, and one storied rivalry revived.
New Sideline Leadership
Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald takes the reins for his first season at MSU. One of the winningest coaches in Big Ten history, Fitzgerald led Northwestern University to 110 wins over 17 seasons. During that time, his teams also excelled in the classroom. In 2019, the Wildcats became the first Power 5 team to post a perfect 100 percent Graduation Success Rate.
Over the past few months, Fitzgerald has built an elite coaching staff, so expect to see both new names and familiar faces on the sideline. Spartan stalwart Courtney Hawkins is still overseeing our wide receivers, and legendary Spartan linebacker Max Bullough makes his MSU coaching debut.
Spartan Walk
File this one under campus classic. Every home game, fans line the route from the Kellogg Center to Spartan Stadium (and all around the Spartan Statue) to cheer on the team as they make their way to the locker room. It’s a chance to see our guys up close and show your support as they gear up for gameday. The walk typically happens about two-and-a-half hours before kickoff.
Back on the books: Notre Dame
The Spartans first faced Notre Dame on the gridiron in 1897 and they quickly became a staple on the schedule. Barring a handful of seasons, MSU and ND clashed nearly every year from 1948-2017. This season is the first opportunity for the Spartans to bring the coveted Megaphone Trophy back to East Lansing in nearly a decade.
Also of note, 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the Game of the Century. Widely regarded as one of the greatest college football games of all time, the 1966 late-season matchup between the two undefeated teams ended knotted at 10-10. This year we know one thing for sure: we’re not ending in a tie.
Varsity Bird
All that gameday commotion makes you hungry, and this year there’s a new concession window popping up inside Spartan Stadium. Varsity Bird is the brainchild of MSU alum Joe Germanotta, ’79, whose Joanne Trattoria in New York City is a neighborhood staple that has hosted Spartan athletes, leaders and alums for years. Now, alongside his partner, Chef Art Smith, he’s focused on chicken. A veteran of the hospitality industry, Germanotta’s Varsity Bird brings a world-class menu to the stadium concourse. Check it out!
Major Moments
The Spartan Marching Band is an MSU institution led by faculty from the College of Music. Today’s 300-member group was originally founded in 1870 and is the second-oldest band in the Big 10. We caught up with Tom McGovern, fourth-year nursing major and one of two drum majors for the 2026 season along with James Madison student Maya Demeniuk.
What does it mean to you to lead the Spartan Marching Band?
Leading the SMB is a great accomplishment in my life. It has allowed me to grow and learn so much about myself. I love being able to give back to this organization and mold the next generation of marchers that will come after me.
What are you most excited about for the 2026 season?
I’m most excited to see Maya (my co-drum major) do her backbend for the first time and nail it!
What do you wish fans knew about being part of the Spartan Marching Band?
I wish more people knew how much we enjoy bringing the energy to Spartan Stadium. It comes from many hours of work and dedication. We care so greatly for the Spartan community!
What is one fun fact about being Drum Major?
We write our own drill formations for every halftime show. It’s a challenging process that allows for a lot of creativity and cooperation.
