WISCONSIN — Wisconsin defensive coordinator Pat Fitzgerald announced Tuesday that he will return to Michigan as the next recruiting coordinator.
The announcement comes after Fitzgerald, who was fired by the Wolverines following a 2-10 season in 2015, was offered the position by Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who hired Fitzgerald to coach the linebackers in 2015.
Fitzgerald joins Mike Riley as the only Wisconsin assistant coaches to return to the school since 2006, when Jim Grobe was fired in 2015 after seven seasons.
Fitzgerald was a member of Michigan’s staff from 2010-12.
In an interview with ESPN’s Brett McMurphy and Eric Edholm, Fitzgerald expressed his gratitude for Harbaugh’s support, saying: “Michigan is a great program.
I want to thank the fans for all the support that they have shown over the years, and I wish Jim well.”
Fitzgerald was Michigan’s linebackers coach from 2007-12, when he coached linebackers and safeties for the Spartans.
He was named a second-team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches’ coaches, and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2007.
Fitzgerald has been at Michigan for 11 seasons, including three as defensive coordinator.
