Pat Fitzgerald targeting former Wisconsin coach for assistant role

Former Wisconsin cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat is Michigan State’s target for its next defensive backs coach, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

The Spartans are rebuilding their coaching staff after the recent hire of longtime Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, who last coached in 2022, is tasked with turning around a Michigan State program that has not registered a winning season since 2021.

Poteat would bring extensive experience to the Spartans’ secondary. The longtime NFL cornerback has coached the position for the last decade. He started at Kent State in 2015-16, then spent four seasons at Toledo, two at Wisconsin (2021-22), and finally the last three at Iowa State. Poteat was part of a 2021 Wisconsin defensive coaching staff that led the unit to program and Power Four-best marks.

Wisconsin hosts Michigan State at Camp Randall Stadium in 2026. The Spartans’ early-season form under their new coaching staff will be worth watching.

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