EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Michigan State University has moved quickly to make a coaching change within the football program.

A day after firing Jonathan Smith after two seasons in charge, the school on Monday announced the hiring of former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald.

On Tuesday afternoon he was formally introduced as the Spartans’ next head coach. And Fitzgerald says he’s ready to move just as quickly to get the MSU program back to prominence.

Fitzgerald, celebrating his 51st birthday on Tuesday, spent 17 years as the head coach at his alma mater, Northwestern, amassing school records with 110 wins and 65 Big Ten wins. The Wildcats consistently outperformed their athletic budget under Fitzgerald, making 10 bowl games and winning two Big Ten West division titles. Fitzgerald was

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