Michigan State President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, from left, new football coach Pat Fitzgerald and athletic director J. Batt are photographed with a jersey during an NCAA college football news conference in East Lansing on Tuesday.(Robin Buckson/Detroit News via AP)

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Pat Fitzgerald spoke with eight schools about potentially coaching their football teams, looking for the best place to resume his career, before choosing Michigan State.

The former Northwestern coach and All-America linebacker signed an incentive-laden, five-year, $30 million contract to lead the Spartans back to relevance.

“It was almost a no-brainer for me when the opportunity was presented,” the 51-year-old Fitzgerald said Tuesday.

Fitzgerald will make $5 million guaranteed in his first year and wi

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