Returning Spartan great Max Bullough ignites the defense, aiming to restore Michigan State's tough, blue-collar football identity with his elite coaching experience.
“My goal is that when I die, anytime someone talks about the top teams in the Big Ten, Michigan State comes out of their mouth.”
Max Bullough has officially returned home.
The former Spartan great recently signed back with his alma mater, Michigan State, as the program’s linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator—marking the latest emotional and meaningful addition to Pat Fitzgerald’s staff.
“It’s the People That Create the Culture”
Bullough recently appeared on The Drive with Jack, hosted by longtime media member Jack Ebling, where his excitement about returning to Michigan State was unmistakable.
Despite never having worked directly with Pat Fitzgerald before, Bullough made it clear how highly he thinks of the new Spartan head coach.
“I’ve never heard one bad thing about Coach Fitz,” Bullough said, noting Fitzgerald’s reputation as both a player and a human being.
The Spartan Will tattooed on Bullough’s body isn’t just for show. When he talks about Michigan State football, the intensity is immediate.
“When I think about Michigan State, it’s a tough, blue-collar, hit-you-in-the-mouth football team and football program,” Bullough said. “And in order to have that, you need to have the right people there that understand that, that can foster that, that can exemplify that, and that can continue to build and bring people in that are that way… it’s not just the Spartan head on the wall that creates the culture, it’s the people.”
That quote alone is enough to make Spartan fans want to run through a wall.
Learning From the Best
Bullough credits much of his development as a leader to his time in Houston, where he learned under linebackers coach Mike Vrabel.
“All of us linebackers, inside and outside, met together with [Vrabel],” Bullough said. “So for three and a half years, I got to learn both inside backer, outside backer—all of [Vrabel’s] knowledge.”
Vrabel—now the head coach of the 12–3 New England Patriots—once called Bullough the smartest player he ever coached on another podcast. Hearing Bullough say he could see himself becoming like Vrabel only connects the dots further. The comparison fits perfectly.
Bullough also spoke about working under Nick Saban at Alabama.
“He was the opposite of what you’d think he’d be,” Bullough said. “If you win, he’s all over your ass. If you lose, he’s going to bring you back up.”
Between Vrabel, Saban, and elite college programs, Bullough brings a rare blend of football IQ, toughness, and leadership.
A Defense Built on Intensity
Bullough’s excitement about returning to Michigan State is contagious—and his experience is exactly what a program in need of football IQ and identity requires.
The Spartans want to be tough again. Physical again. Respected again.
And if Max Bullough has anything to say about it, that transformation starts on defense.
This unit will be tough—and it’ll start with Bullough.
A Spartan Through and Through
During his playing days in East Lansing, Bullough was a green-and-white monster.
A four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at middle linebacker, Bullough was a two-time team captain and a two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection (2012, 2013). Over 53 career games (40 starts), he racked up 299 tackles, finishing 18th all-time in MSU history. He also ranked 11th in tackles for loss (30.5 for 103 yards) while adding eight career sacks (51 yards), 11 passes defended (three interceptions, eight breakups), and four forced fumbles.
Off the field, Bullough matched his production on it. He was a two-time Academic All-American—second team in 2012 and first team in 2013.
Simply put, Bullough finished his Spartan career as one of the best linebackers to ever wear the helmet.
From East Lansing to the NFL
Bullough parlayed his college success into a three-year NFL career with the Houston Texans. In his professional tenure, he totaled 56 tackles and three tackles for loss while gaining invaluable experience under elite coaching.
That experience would later shape the coach he has become.
Climbing the Coaching Ranks
After his playing days ended, Bullough worked his way up through the coaching world as a graduate assistant from 2019–2023 with Cincinnati, Alabama, and Notre Dame.
It was at Notre Dame where he earned his first full linebackers coaching role—and flourished. Bullough helped guide the Fighting Irish to a national championship game appearance last season and narrowly missed the College Football Playoff this year.
Now, that momentum comes back to East Lansing.