Michigan State expected to hire John McNulty as quarterbacks coach
Following the abrupt departure of Mike Bajakian, MSU is expected to hire John McNulty as quarterbacks coach. More here.
Michigan State head coach Pat Fitzgerald has quickly found a new quarterbacks coach, as sources confirm to Spartans Illustarted that MSU is expected to hire John McNulty for the role.
The news was first reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel.
The move to bring McNulty to East Lansing comes after Mike Bajakian's departure for the NFL's Cleveland Browns. Bajakian was officially hired as Michigan State's quarterbacks coach on Jan. 2, and news broke on Feb. 1 that Bajakian was expected to take the same role with the Browns.
In total, McNulty has more than 30 years of coaching experience. He has coached at both the college level and NFL level.
McNulty most recently served as a senior offensive assistant for Rutgers. This was McNulty's third stint with the Scarlet Knights as he also coached various roles for Rutgers from 2004 through 2008 — including as wide receivers in 2004 and 2005, co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2006, and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator in 2007 and 2008.
Prior to that, McNulty worked as an analyst at Alabama in 2023 and 2024. While with the Crimson Tide in 2024, McNulty served on the same staff as recently-hired Michigan State offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan.
Before Alabama, McNulty was the offensive coordinator for Boston College in 2022. From 2020 through 2021, McNulty worked as Notre Dame's tight ends coach. In 2019, he served as an offensive analyst, at his alma mater, Penn State.
Prior to returning to Rutgers, McNulty worked in the NFL for several seasons. He had stints as tight ends coach for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2016 and 2017), quarterbacks coach for the Tennessee Titans (2014 and 2015), quarterbacks coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013), and as quarterbacks coach (2012) and wide receivers coach for the Arizona Cardinals (2009 through 2011).
Before his first stint at Rutgers, McNulty worked in the NFL as wide receivers coach for the Dallas Cowboys (2003), and as wide receivers coach (2000 through 2002) and offensive quality control coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars (1998 until 2000).
From 1995 through 1997, McNulty served as wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator for Connecticut.
He started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan from 1991 through 1994.
As a college football player, McNulty suited up for Penn State as a safety from 1988 through 1990.