Not too many coordinators survive coaching changes. Michigan State is still holding onto defensive coordinator Joe Rossi , though. Pat Fitzgerald has said that he had wanted him at Northwestern in the past, but that Rossi was beyond NU's price range. Rossi's unit finished 72nd in total defense last season, but showed some visible improvements later in the season. There are a couple of things to like as the Spartans step into the 2026 season: Higher-End Linebackers Michigan State's Jordan Hall celebrates after a stop against Michigan during the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Linebacker will be one of MSU's biggest strengths this upcoming season. Rising senior Jordan Hall was the team's leader on that side of the ball last season, making 88 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.…