Michigan State's Poteat Brings Familiar Face to Coaching Staff

Cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat has a long history with the Spartans, including recruiting his son and coaching a former player.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:08pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the intensity and energy of a football game, with players' bodies and uniforms broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color.Poteat's connections to the Michigan State coaching staff and ability to bring in a familiar player could give the Spartans' secondary a boost this season.East Lansing Today

Michigan State's new cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat has some surprising connections to the Spartans program, even before joining the coaching staff. Poteat was previously teammates with Spartans wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins when they were both with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000. Poteat also has a history with Spartans head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who tried to recruit Poteat's son Tre to Northwestern. Additionally, Poteat brought one of his own players, Tre Bell, with him from Iowa State to join the Spartans secondary.

Why it matters

Poteat's existing relationships with key members of the Spartans coaching staff and his ability to bring in a familiar player in Tre Bell should help him hit the ground running in East Lansing. The Spartans are looking to shore up their secondary after losing several key contributors, and Poteat's experience and connections could be a big boost.

The details

Poteat and Spartans wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins were teammates with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000, with Hawkins in the final season of his 9-year NFL career and Poteat as a rookie. Poteat also has a history with Spartans head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who tried to recruit Poteat's son Tre to Northwestern when Tre was in the class of 2025. Poteat's wife Jasmine was impressed with Fitzgerald's energy and presentation during that recruiting process. When the Michigan State job opened up, Poteat jumped at the opportunity. Poteat also brought one of his own players, Tre Bell, with him from Iowa State, where Bell started 8 games in 2025. Bell is expected to compete for a starting cornerback job alongside returning starter Charles Brantley.

  • Poteat and Hawkins were teammates with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000.
  • Fitzgerald recruited Poteat's son Tre to Northwestern in the class of 2025.
  • Poteat accepted the Michigan State cornerbacks coach job in 2026.

The players

Hank Poteat

Michigan State's new cornerbacks coach, who previously coached at Iowa State and has connections to the Spartans program through his past relationships.

Courtney Hawkins

Michigan State's wide receivers coach, who was Poteat's teammate with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000.

Pat Fitzgerald

Michigan State's head coach, who previously tried to recruit Poteat's son Tre to Northwestern.

Tre Poteat

Poteat's son, who was recruited by Fitzgerald to Northwestern in the class of 2025 before choosing Tennessee.

Tre Bell

A cornerback who Poteat brought with him from Iowa State to join the Michigan State secondary.

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What they’re saying

“My wife remembered sitting in the auditorium [at Northwestern], and him presenting to the families and to the players, and she loved his energy. She loved the things that he was saying and what he was about.”

— Hank Poteat, Michigan State Cornerbacks Coach

“He knows what I'm looking for. He knows the mindset when I'm talking about dawg mentality. He understands the technique... He's familiar with my terminology. He's a player-coach off the field helping me out.”

— Hank Poteat, Michigan State Cornerbacks Coach

What’s next

Poteat and the Spartans will look to solidify their secondary this fall, with Bell and returning starter Charles Brantley expected to be the starting cornerbacks.

The takeaway

Poteat's existing relationships and ability to bring in a familiar player in Tre Bell should help him make a smooth transition to the Michigan State coaching staff as they look to rebuild their secondary. His connections to the program, even before joining, could give the Spartans an advantage in the competitive Big Ten.