EAST LANSING, Mich. — Pat Fitzgerald spoke with eight schools about potentially coaching their football teams, looking for the best place to resume his career, before choosing Michigan State.

The former Northwestern coach and All-America linebacker signed an incentive-laden, five-year, $50 million contract to lead the Spartans back to relevance.

“It was almost a no-brainer for me when the opportunity was presented,” the 51-year-old Fitzgerald said Tuesday.

Fitzgerald will make $5 million guaranteed in his first year and will be paid at least $500,000 more in each of the following four seasons. If he helps Michigan State win seven games in any of his first three seasons, an extra year and $500,000 will be added to his contract.

If the Spartans simply win six games or more in the regular

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