BREAKING: David Pollack, Georgia Legend, Returns to College Football as Special Assistant to Michigan State Head Coach
Bulldogs Great Brings Championship Pedigree and Defensive Mastery to Spartans’ Rebuild
EAST LANSING, MI — July 5, 2025
In a move that has stunned the SEC and energized the Big Ten, David Pollack, the iconic former Georgia linebacker and College Football Hall of Famer, has accepted a role as Special Assistant to the Head Coach at Michigan State University. The announcement was made Friday morning in a joint press release by Michigan State Athletics and Head Coach Jonathan Smith, who called it “one of the most impactful hires of the decade.”
Pollack, widely considered one of the greatest linebackers in Georgia Bulldogs history, brings a championship mindset, deep football IQ, and elite recruiting credibility to East Lansing. He’ll serve as a strategic advisor and mentor across the program, with a focus on defensive development, leadership culture, and national recruiting efforts.
> “This isn’t about leaving Georgia. It’s about helping build something special at Michigan State,” Pollack said during his introductory media session at Spartan Stadium. “Coach Smith’s vision is powerful, the energy here is real, and I’m all in.”
From Bulldog to Spartan
Pollack earned All-American honors three times at Georgia and won the 2004 Lombardi Award, given to the best lineman or linebacker in college football. His playing career was cut short by a spinal injury in the NFL, but he quickly transitioned into a high-profile role as a broadcaster for ESPN’s College GameDay, where he became a household name for a new generation of fans.
After a decade in media, Pollack stepped away from broadcasting in 2023 to focus on family and mentoring young athletes. But according to sources close to the program, he maintained close ties to college football insiders and quietly expressed a desire to get back into the trenches.
His opportunity came when Coach Jonathan Smith, in the midst of a high-stakes rebuild at Michigan State, reached out with a vision: not just to win games, but to build a culture.
> “David’s presence in our building will elevate everyone—from coaches to freshmen,” Smith said. “He’s a warrior, a teacher, and a competitor. The fact that he chose Michigan State tells you we’re doing something right.”
A New Defensive Era
While Pollack won’t be calling plays, his fingerprints will be all over the Spartans’ evolving defensive identity. Insiders say he’ll work directly with linebackers, sit in on defensive strategy sessions, and serve as a “culture compass” for the locker room. His role also includes on-campus recruiting weekends, where his name recognition and national credibility are expected to make a major impact.
Pollack joins a coaching staff that’s already buzzing with energy after landing several top-100 defensive recruits and flipping two SEC prospects this offseason.
> “Pollack’s a walking résumé,” said ESPN analyst and former coach Gene Chizik. “Parents trust him, players idolize him, and coaches respect him. Michigan State just scored a program-changer.”
Backlash in the South
Unsurprisingly, the announcement stirred reactions in Georgia. Some fans expressed shock that a UGA legend would join another Power Five program. Pollack addressed the reaction directly:
> “Athens will always be in my heart,” he said. “But my mission now is in East Lansing. The Spartan fanbase has been incredible already, and I can’t wait to give them everything I’ve got.”
Looking Ahead
With Pollack now on board and a wave of momentum behind the Spartans, Michigan State’s fall camp is shaping up to be the most anticipated in years. There’s already talk of a documentary crew shadowing the program’s rebuild, and the team’s Sept. 7 matchup against Georgia Tech has been moved to primetime.
For David Pollack, the jersey may be green now, but the mission remains the same: greatness.
> “This game gave me everything,” he said, smiling at midfield. “Now it’s time to give back—in Spartan Green.”
Stay with ESPN for continuing coverage of Pollack’s return to the sidelines and Michigan State’s rise under Jonathan Smith.
