Michigan State head coach Pat Fitzgerald retains Joe Rossi as defensive coordinator

Michigan State will have a familiar face at defensive coordinator, as newly-hired head coach Pat Fitzgerald will retain Joe Rossi for his first staff in East Lansing, sources tell Spartans Illustrated.

ESPN's Pete Thamel was the first to report the news publicly. Thamel also noted that Fitzgerald will retain safeties coach James Adams.

Rossi was hired by previous head coach Jonathan Smith in December of 2023 as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

In 2025, the Spartans ranked 14th in the Big Ten in yards allowed per game (378.7), 17th in passing yards allowed per game (231.3), 12th in rushing yards allowed per game (147.3), 12th in sacks (122) and 15th in points allowed per game (29.9).

In Rossi's first year at MSU in 2024, the Spartans finished the season ranked 10th in the Big Ten in yards allowed per game (332), ninth in passing yards allowed per game (206.9), ninth in rushing yards allowed per game (125.1), 16th in sacks (19) and 15th in points allowed per game (26.1).

Prior to his time in East Lansing, Rossi spent seven seasons at Minnesota under head coach P.J. Fleck from 2017 through 2023. He started out as a quality control coach for the Golden Gophers in 2017 before becoming the defensive line coach and interim defensive coordinator in 2018. Rossi was elevated to the full-time defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in late 2018, which is a position he held until his departure for MSU.

Rossi, a two-time Broyles Award nominee, coached 30 All-Big Ten honorees and two first-team All-Americans while he was with the Gophers. He also had 10 of his players become NFL Draft picks during his time in Minneapolis.

Before his stint in Minnesota, Rossi was at Rutgers for the 2012 through 2015 seasons, working for head coach Kyle Flood. Rossi began his tenure in Piscataway as special teams coordinator in 2012 and 2013. He was promoted to defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the Scarlet Knights for the 2014 and 2015 campaigns.

Rossi spent five seasons at Maine (FCS) from 2007 through 2011 under head coach Jack Cosgrove. He served as special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Black Bears in 2007 and 2008. Rossi was elevated to defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the 2009 season, and held that role through 2011.

In 2001, Rossi began his coaching career at Division III Thiel College in Pennsylvania. He started out as defensive line coach for the Tomcats in 2001 and 2002. He earned the promotion to defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the 2003 through 2006 seasons.

As a player, Rossi was a four-year letterwinner as a defensive lineman at Division III Allegheny College in Pennsylvania from 1997 through 2000. The Pittsburgh native earned All-NCAC honors three times (first team in 1999 and 2000, and second team in 1998) while starting in 41 career games. He was elected as team captain in 2000.