EAST LANSING – Pat Fitzgerald’s emotion showed early when talking about his family and how they helped him through a painful period in his life.

He choked up again a few minutes later in the press conference when moving past that time and embracing the present.

“I’ve been dreaming about this day for a long time,” Fitzgerald said. “I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to cry. I’m just so grateful and so thankful – our family is – and there will be no more motivated coach to get this program where it needs to be than I will be compared to anywhere else in the country. I promise you that.”

Fitzgerald’s passionate vow came as he was introduced on Tuesday afternoon as Michigan State’s new football coach. Following three seasons away from college coaching after being fired by Northwestern, h

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