On Tuesday, Michigan State offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan was available to the media to preview Friday’s season-opening matchup against Toledo. The Michigan State football team enters the season with tons of roster turnover, with over 60 new players.
Despite the change, Sheridan remains confident in his team. The team is itching to get to hit an opponent besides their teammates, and Friday offers that chance. Much like head coach Pat Fitzgerald, Sheridan is not overlooking the MAC team, calling them a great opponent and coaching staff.
When asked about Adam Zock, the star transfer from FCS Mercer, Sheridan made sure to point out that the staff and linemen will be well aware of where No. 0 is at all times. Zock won the Buchanan Award last year, awarded to the best defensive player in the FCS. He did that after a season where the Floridian racked up 11.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.
Sheridan dismissed the normal notion of balance in an offense, as well. The normal coach-speak around a game involves making a team balanced in the run and pass. The head coach is among the school of thought that it is more based on how a team can attack the defensive weaknesses that they exploit throughout a contest.
He pointed out that all great offenses he has worked for (including a CFP runner-up run as a tight ends coach at Washington) has had different strengths. That said, it all starts up front with the offensive line, which is something the Spartans have targeted in the portal. They have acquired three new projected starters for the 2026 season, bringing in Trent Fraley, Nick Sharpe, and Ben Murawski in the portal, alongside projected swing tackle Robert Wright Jr.
“Every great offense I’ve been a part of, they’ve had different strengths,” Sheridan said. “Everything starts up front. People talk about balance and creating that, it’s about seeing what they’re doing and taking advantage of it.”
Sheridan compared his ideal offense like a basketball player dribbling with both hands, noting how easier it is for a player to attack the rim with that ability.
The former Alabama coordinator also highlighted the rotation of the receiver group, and was not against rotating the offensive line if Nick Tabacca wanted to do so. Naturally, Sheridan did not give much away regarding that strategy, with everything under wraps.
When the coach talked about that secrecy, he pointed out that the starters and his secrets are much like the football his offense holds on to. “I want to protect my football,” became the analogy Sheridan used. Once the season starts up, there is more film to base on, snap counts to read into, and the like. For now, the plan is to keep Toledo and the fans guessing as year one of the Fitzgerald era begins.
The Challenges of a New Toledo Staff
The Rockets, much like Michigan State football, bring in a new staff after Jason Candle departed for UConn. That brings challenges of watching individual film on players, while also studying the film and defensive schemes that Mike Jacobs and Jahmal Brown installed while at Mercer.
For the Spartans, they will not have to look far for film on safety Armorion Smith, as he spent his last few seasons with Michigan State. Smith is projected to be the first safety off the bench for Toledo, based on early previews.
Standouts? Not Much Being Given Out
Once again, much like Fitzgerald, the offensive coordinator was tight-lipped with his standouts. The receiver room will be rotation based, which Sheridan noted the strength of multiple personnel packages. He also was quick to point out the team first mentality that his receiver room displayed.
Sheridan was asked about Cam Edwards, and quick to offer praise for the starting running back for Michigan State. He divulged that his demeanor as a runner was something that Fitzgerald, running backs coach Devon Spalding, and offensive line coach Nick Tabacca all loved.
Alessio Milivojevic also got tons of praise, especially with his leadership and caring attitude for teammates, coaches, and the school. Those are all things that do not show up on an all-22 tape, as Sheridan pointed out. The staff is doing everything to help make Alessio Milivojevic succeed in 2026.
The Big Reveal
The biggest piece of news from Sheridan’s press conference is that he will be an on-field coordinator this year as opposed to being in the booth. Sheridan cited being able to hold face-to-face conversations as why he chose the sidelines, and that is something that was also cited for what Alessio Milivojevic said he liked about the decision later with media.
Sheridan did also note that there were advantages for both, but he decided that on the field fit best for him this year.
Notes
Sheridan discussed his first game in East Lansing, the home opener in 1998 against Colorado State. The offensive coordinator said he remembered that CSU had “two really good backs, I cannot remember their names but my dad (Bill Sheridan, the Michigan State football Linebackers coach from 1998-2000) kept talking about two good backs.”
He admitted that he will be taking a moment to reflect on that before the game begins.
Sheridan also discussed the challenges of coaching in the COVID season, and the pulse a stadium gives when active, but how the training for his team is to block all that out and stay committed to their roles. Sheridan called plays for Indiana during the COVID season, including an upset win over Penn State.
FOOTBALL1 week ago
FOOTBALL1 week ago
FOOTBALL1 week ago
FOOTBALL5 days ago