Michigan State hires Grover Bortolotti as assistant running backs coach
Sources: Bortolotti, who played collegiately at Wisconsin, joins MSU as assistant RBs coach following the departure of Travis Russell.
Michigan State has hired Grover Bortolotti as assistant running backs coach, sources tell Spartans Illustrated.
Bortolotti has also updated his X (formerly Twitter) bio to reflect his new role as well.
The hiring of Bortolotti comes shortly after the departure of Travis Russell, who was briefly hired as MSU’s assistant running backs coach in February, but recently left the program to take a job as assistant tight ends coach at Missouri.
Most recently, Bortolotti worked at his alma mater, Wisconsin, as assistant running backs coach. He served in that role under head coach Luke Fickell and running backs coach Jayden Everett from January of 2026 until March of 2026 when he was hired by MSU.
Bortolotti’s playing career with the Badgers just concluded following the 2025 season. He walked on to Wisconsin in 2021 and played in 45 total games as a running back and special teams contributor. Bortolotti recorded five carries for 48 rushing yards (9.6 yards per attempt) on offense, and 16 tackles on special teams.
While at Wisconsin, Bortolotti played under current Michigan State running backs coach Devon Spalding, who served in that same role for the Badgers from 2023 through 2025.
At MSU, Bortolotti will work under Spalding, head coach Pat Fitzgerald, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan and the rest of the MSU staff.
Spalding and Bortolotti will mentor a group of running backs at Michigan State in 2026 that includes Cam Edwards, Marvis Parrish, Jaziun Patterson, Brandon Tullis, Jace Clarizio, Zion Gist, Kenneth Williams, Jaxon McCaig, Darrin Jones Jr. and Cedric Williams Jr.
While it is always possible that things change in the future, sources tell Spartans Illustrated that Bortolotti is expected to be the final addition to the MSU staff as far as analysts/assistants to a position coach go for 2026.
At Wisconsin, Bortolotti played with linebacker Jake Chaney, who was recently hired as Michigan State's assistant defensive line coach.
Bortolotti’s younger brother, Harrison Bortolotti, is currently on Wisconsin’s roster as a running back/special teamer. He walked on with the Badgers in 2025 and enters his second year in the program in 2026. Harrison Bortolotti was also coached by Spalding in 2025.
The Spartans begin spring ball for the 2026 campaign on March 17 and will participate in 15 practices, which concludes on April 18 with the “Spring Showcase.”
