Michigan State’s coaching staff is officially coming into focus.
According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, Pat Fitzgerald is expected to hire Nick Sheridan as Michigan State’s new offensive coordinator, a major step as Fitzgerald continues building his first staff in East Lansing ahead of the 2026 season.
Michigan State is expected to hire Alabama co-offensive coordinator and QB coach Nick Sheridan as its new offensive coordinator, sources tell me, @C_Robinson247 and @JustinThind.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 20, 2025
The ex-Michigan QB has worked under Kalen DeBoer the last four seasons at Alabama and Washington. pic.twitter.com/hJAvHE4dJx
Fitzgerald, who was hired by Michigan State Spartans on Dec. 1, prioritized the offensive coordinator role early, and Sheridan now becomes one of the most important pieces of that foundation. With the OC position filled, Michigan State can turn its attention to rounding out the rest of the offensive coaching staff.
A Proven Playcaller From the College Football Playoff
Sheridan, 37, arrives in East Lansing after spending the 2025 season as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama Crimson Tide under head coach Kalen DeBoer. Alabama was selected for the College Football Playoff, and Sheridan worked alongside offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb in a shared playcalling structure.
The year prior, in 2024, Sheridan served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, overseeing an offense that averaged 33.8 points per game. That season helped solidify his reputation as a rising offensive mind capable of running a high-level attack.
Success With DeBoer at Washington
Before his time in Tuscaloosa, Sheridan followed DeBoer to Washington Huskies, where he coached tight ends in 2022 and 2023.
Washington’s offense was among the most explosive in the country during that stretch. The Huskies led the nation in passing offense in 2022 (369.8 yards per game) and ranked second nationally in 2023 (343.7). That 2023 team reached the national championship game before falling to Michigan.
Indiana Roots and Quarterback Development
Sheridan spent five seasons at Indiana Hoosiers from 2017–2021 under head coach Tom Allen, steadily climbing the coaching ladder.
- 2017–18: Quarterbacks coach
- 2019: Tight ends coach (with DeBoer as OC)
- 2020–21: Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach
During that time, Sheridan helped develop Michael Penix Jr., who became a Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist and second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2021 while leading the conference with 274.2 passing yards per game. Penix later reunited with Sheridan and DeBoer at Washington and now plays in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons.
A Long Coaching Journey — and Michigan Ties
Sheridan’s coaching résumé stretches back more than a decade:
- Offensive graduate assistant at Tennessee (2014–16), working with Joshua Dobbs
- Passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Willie Taggart at South Florida (2013) and Western Kentucky (2012)
- Graduate assistant at Western Kentucky (2011)
- Quarterbacks coach at Saline High School in 2010 — his alma mater
As a player, Sheridan walked on at Michigan in 2006, earned a scholarship, and appeared in 12 games with four starts in 2008. He graduated from Michigan in 2010 with a degree in political science.
There’s also a notable Michigan State connection in the family: Sheridan’s father, Bill Sheridan, coached linebackers at Michigan State under Nick Saban from 1998–99 and under Bobby Williams in 2000. Bill Sheridan currently serves as a senior defensive assistant with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Why This Hire Matters for Michigan State
For Fitzgerald, bringing in Sheridan signals a commitment to offensive structure, quarterback development, and modern playcalling. Sheridan has coached at nearly every level of college football, worked with elite quarterbacks, and helped build offenses capable of competing on the national stage.
Now, with the offensive coordinator spot filled, Michigan State can focus on assembling position coaches — and begin shaping the identity of its offense under a brand-new regime.
For a program looking to stabilize and take a clear step forward, this is a foundational hire.
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