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, $30 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

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