HARNS: Pat Fitzgerald’s sideline passion is giving MSU fans something to rally around

Through the frustration of a 38-37 overtime loss to Illinois, the Spartans’ first-year head coach, Pat Fitzgerald, became a rallying point for fans who saw their own emotions playing out on the sideline. His anger, his energy, and his refusal to quietly accept what was happening connected with a fan base that desperately wants this program to fight its way back.

It was apparent online and in group texts around the state - and around the country. Fitzgerald’s sideline gesture - which was directed towards the refs and only visible via a pause button - drew attention on social media (and in the candid conversations amongst fans) because it captured the passion and frustration so many Michigan State fans shared.

His passion resonated across Spartan Nation.

The backdrop was an afternoon of mounting frustration, punctuated by an offside call that wiped out Michigan State’s perfectly executed recovered onside kick.

MSU fans are used to being the victims of these plays, at least in the last few years. It was amazing for them to see a well-drawn up play deployed in the perfect situation. Samson Gash timed his sprint perfectly, recovering the kick with the Spartans trailing 31-24, presumably continuing the momentum the players had earned.

Replay showed him onside, and rules analysts said Michigan State should have retained possession. The penalty flag thrown in error, however, could not be reviewed.

Michigan State had executed a game-changing play and watched it disappear because a referee made an inexplicably bad call. Fitzgerald’s reaction was easy for Spartan fans to recognize - because they were feeling it, too.

It's been a minute since Spartan fans saw their in-game emotions mirrored back to them by the man in charge of the team they love.

Some will celebrate how he expressed that frustration. Others will understand it, even if they would have personally preferred a different finger in the air. Given the circumstances, though, my sense is that very few Michigan State fans will condemn it.

His reaction did not draw a penalty, cost Michigan State yardage, or carry an adverse ruling on the field. The visible response was an energized crowd, a team that continued fighting, and supporters who embraced the passion their coach was showing.

A coach’s frustration can become a problem when it spreads into undisciplined play or distracts his team from the next snap. But that didn't happen here. In fact, the opposite occurred.

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