What Pat Fitzgerald had to say about taking over Michigan State football

Michigan State football introduced Pat Fitzgerald as its new football head coach on Tuesday, and there was plenty to take away from his first press conference.

Fitzgerald was formally introduced as the Spartans next head coach on Tuesday, with an opening statement and many questions from the local media. It was an inspiring session that should leave Michigan State fans and alumni everywhere excited about what is to come under Fitzgerald's leadership.

Fitzgerald was officially hired by the Spartans on Monday evening, receiving a reportedly five-year deal as the next Michigan State head coach. He will replace Jonathan Smith who was fired by the Spartans after two seasons.

Check out some of the highlights from Fitzgerald's introduction press conference below:

• Fitzgerald said he addressed the football team earlier today

• Fitzgerald says Michigan State football legend head coach Mark Dantonio and his wife, Becky, very special to him and his family. He expects Dantonio to be at practices and around the program as things move forward.

• Fitzgerald said Michigan State athletic director J Batt's vision of having a top 10 athletic department driven by football is what drew him to Michigan State.

• Fitzgerald: "I'm here because I believe deeply in what we can build together."

• Fitzgerald considers Smith a friend, and said he talked to Smith yesterday stating he knows how Smith is feeling right now

• Fitzgerald on rivalry with Michigan: "There's one game that means just a little bit more, doesn't it? I'm just gonna leave that one alone for a little bit."

• Fitzgerald said he went around to see other schools and NFL teams to survey and evaluate the new college football landscape.

• Fitzgerald on motivation to get back into coaching: "As far as my motivation? You don't have to ask me about that. I've been dreaming about this day for a long time."

• Fitzgerald on the situation that cost him his job at Northwestern: "You learn a lot," adding that coming out "fully exonerated" from the school makes him feel "100% vindicated."

• Fitzgerald on assembling a coaching staff at Michigan State: "No. 1, I'm going to look for great people." He added that with early signing day being tomorrow, the priority is putting the recruiting class "over the goal line" first and then work on his staff.

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: What Pat Fitzgerald had to say about taking over Michigan State football