Pat Fitzgerald, vowing to "restore tradition" in the Michigan State football program, has been hired as the Spartans' new coach on Monday.

The deal is for five years, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel, and requires formal approval from the MSU Board of Trustees when they next meet Dec. 12.

"Today marks the beginning of a new era for Michigan State Football," athletic director J Batt said in a statement. "Pat Fitzgerald is widely recognized as an exceptional football coach, whose teams play with extreme toughness and grit, demonstrate continual improvement and maximize potential.

"Pat is an excellent fit for Michigan State Football, as he understands the Big Ten, has great relationships throughout the Midwest and embodies the values on which our program was built. His incredible passion

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