Michigan State Program History

Spartans · Big Ten · FBS seasons since 1985

All-time: 282-218-4.563
Seasons: 421985–2026
AP top 25: 12final polls
AP top 10: 6final polls
Best rating: +7.733rd in 2021

Season by season

Year	Coach	Conference	Record	Conf	Pct	AP	Rating	Adj Off	Adj Def
2026so far	Pat Fitzgerald	Big Ten	2-5	0-4	.286		-0.266	24.682	24.856
2025	Jonathan Smith	Big Ten	4-8	1-8	.333		+0.567	27.161	26.670
2024	Jonathan Smith	Big Ten	5-7	3-6	.417		-3.384	22.8102	26.159
2023	Mel Tucker / Harlon Barnett	Big Ten	4-8	2-7	.333		-4.382	22.396	26.666
2022	Mel Tucker	Big Ten	5-7	3-6	.417		+5.245	29.449	24.236
2021	Mel Tucker	Big Ten	11-2	7-2	.846	9	+7.733	31.830	24.137
2020	Mel Tucker	Big Ten	2-5	2-5	.286		-2.677	26.385	28.966
2019	Mark Dantonio	Big Ten	7-6	4-5	.538		+6.535	27.666	21.019
2018	Mark Dantonio	Big Ten	7-6	5-4	.538		+7.734	24.198	16.45
2017	Mark Dantonio	Big Ten	10-3	7-2	.769	15	+7.631	28.168	20.518
2016	Mark Dantonio	Big Ten	3-9	1-8	.250		+2.557	29.162	26.648
2015	Mark Dantonio	Big Ten	12-2		.857	6	—	—	—
2014	Mark Dantonio	Big Ten	11-2		.846	5	—	—	—
2013	Mark Dantonio	Big Ten	13-1		.929	3	—	—	—
2012	Mark Dantonio	Big Ten	7-6		.538		—	—	—
2011	Mark Dantonio	Big Ten	11-3		.786	11	—	—	—
2010	Mark Dantonio	Big Ten	11-2		.846	14	—	—	—
2009	Mark Dantonio	Big Ten	6-7		.462		—	—	—
2008	Mark Dantonio	Big Ten	9-4		.692	24	—	—	—
2007	Mark Dantonio	Big Ten	7-6		.538		—	—	—
2006	John Smith	Big Ten	4-8		.333		—	—	—
2005	John Smith	Big Ten	5-6		.455		—	—	—
2004	John Smith	Big Ten	5-7		.417		—	—	—
2003	John Smith	Big Ten	8-5		.615		—	—	—
2002	Bobby Williams / Morris Watts	Big Ten	4-8		.333		—	—	—
2001	Bobby Williams	Big Ten	7-5		.583		—	—	—
2000	Bobby Williams	Big Ten	5-6		.455		—	—	—
1999	Nick Saban	Big Ten	9-2		.818	7	—	—	—
1998	Nick Saban	Big Ten	6-6		.500		—	—	—
1997	Nick Saban	Big Ten	7-5		.583		—	—	—
1996	Nick Saban	Big Ten	6-6		.500		—	—	—
1995	Nick Saban	Big Ten	6-5-1		.542		—	—	—
1994	George Perles	Big Ten	5-6		.455		—	—	—
1993	George Perles	Big Ten	6-6		.500		—	—	—
1992	George Perles	Big Ten	5-6		.455		—	—	—
1991	George Perles	Big Ten	3-8		.273		—	—	—
1990	George Perles	Big Ten	8-3-1		.708	16	—	—	—
1989	George Perles	Big Ten	8-4		.667	16	—	—	—
1988	George Perles	Big Ten	6-5-1		.542		—	—	—
1987	George Perles	Big Ten	9-2-1		.792	8	—	—	—
1986	George Perles	Big Ten	6-5		.545		—	—	—
1985	George Perles	Big Ten	7-5		.583		—	—	—

Ratings and conference records start with the 2016 season. How the ratings work.

Head coaches

Coach	Years	Seasons	Record	Pct
Pat Fitzgerald	2026	1	2-5	.286
Jonathan Smith	2024–2025	2	9-15	.375
Harlon Barnett	2023	1	2-8	.200
Mel Tucker	2020–2023	4	20-14	.588
Mark Dantonio	2007–2019	13	114-57	.667
John Smith	2003–2006	4	22-26	.458
Morris Watts	2002	1	1-2	.333
Bobby Williams	2000–2002	3	15-17	.469
Nick Saban	1995–1999	5	34-24-1	.585
George Perles	1985–1994	10	63-50-3	.556