Former Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker was relieved of his duties two games into the 2023 season, leaving the vacancy to be filled by Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith following the end of the regular season.
Who did Smith hire to shore the Spartans’ coaching staff in 2024?
Michigan State Spartan’s Coaching Staff 2024
Head Coach, Jonathan Smith
Smith joined the Spartans following six seasons (2018-2023) at the helm of his alma mater, Oregon State. He played quarterback for the Beavers (1998-2001) before starting his coaching career there as a graduate assistant (2002-2003).
Smith went on to coach the quarterbacks at Idaho (2004-2009), be the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Montana (2010-2011), QBs coach at Boise State (2012-2013), and OC/quarterbacks coach at Washington (2014-2017).
Smith failed to finish above .500 in his first three seasons in charge in Corvallis — 2-10 in 2018, 5-7 in 2019, and 2-5 in the shortened 2020 season — before leading the Beavers to a 25-13 record from 2021-2023. Surprisingly, the old quarterback and seasoned offensive coordinator built Oregon State’s success primarily on the back of his defense.
In 2022, Smith was named the Pac-12 Co-Head Coach of the Year after leading Oregon State to 10 wins for just the third time in program history. The Beavers finished No. 17 in both the AP and Coaches Poll following a 30-3 win over Florida in the Las Vegas Bowl.
In 2022, Oregon State topped the Pac-12 in scoring defense (20.0 points allowed per game), rushing defense (108.2 yards allowed per game), total defense (332.8 yards allowed per game), and pass efficiency defense (114.1 rating).
During the 2023 season, Oregon State was ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first 12 weeks of the season, a first in program history. The Beavers had one of the best defenses in the country. In the regular season, Oregon State ranked seventh in the FBS in sacks (three per game), 17th in rushing defense (104.1 yards on average), and 18th in interceptions (12).
Offensively, Smith mentored quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (now at Florida State) to a career-high 2,638 passing yards and 21 touchdown passes. The Beavers finished fourth in the Pac-12 and 26th in the FBS in scoring (33.8 points per game) during the regular season.
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach, Brian Lindgren
Brian Lindgren followed Smith from Corvallis in the same role he had with the Beavers for the last six seasons (2018-2023). Lindgren started his career as a running backs coach at Northern Arizona (2007) before moving to quarterbacks (2008) and eventually offensive coordinator (2009-2011).
Before teaming up with Smith, Lindgren had OC stops at San Jose State (2012) and Colorado (2013-2017).
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach, Joe Rossi
A newcomer to Michigan State and Smith’s staff, Joe Rossi takes over as the Spartans’ defensive coordinator after holding the same title at Minnesota for the last six years.
Rossi started his coaching career as a DL coach (2001-2002) and DC (2003-2006) at Thiel College before stops with Maine (DBs coach, 2007-2008, DC, 2009-2011) and Rutgers (special teams coordinator, 2012-2013, DC, 2014-2015).
Assistant Head Coach/Co-Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs Coach, Keith Bhonapha
After spending last season as the assistant head coach and running backs coach at Oregon State, Keith Bhonapha followed Smith to Michigan State. Bhonapha started his career as a DB and special teams coach at Hawaii (2003-2005) before multiple stints with Boise State (director of operations, 2006-2008, RBs coach, 2009-2013, assistant HC, 2022).
He was also the running backs coach at Washington (2014-2021).
Secondary Coach, Blue Adams
Blue Adams followed Smith from Oregon State after serving as the Beavers’ secondary coach (2019-2023). He’s been a DB coach at Northern Iowa (2011-2012), the Miami Dolphins (2012-2015), West Virginia (2016), and South Florida (2017-2018).
Wide Receivers Coach, Courtney Hawkins
A holdover from the previous regime, Courtney Hawkins has been in charge of the Spartans’ receivers group since 2020. Before that, he was the head coach and athletics director at Flint Beecher High School (2006-2020).
Cornerbacks Coach, Demetrice Martin
Joining Smith’s staff after two seasons at Oregon (2022-2023), Demetrice Martin has stints as defensive backs coach at Washington (2009-2011), UCLA (2012-2017), Arizona (2018-2019), Colorado (2020-2021), and Oregon (2022-2023).
Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator, Jim Michalczik
Following Smith from Oregon State after being there his entire tenure, Jim Michalczik has been an OL coach at Montana State (1992-1998), Cal (2002-2008, 2011-2012), the Oakland Raiders (2009-2010), and Arizona (2013-2017).
Defensive Line Coach, Legi Suiaunoa
Also following Smith from Oregon State is Legi Suiaunoa, who has additional DL coaching experience from Washington (2005-2008), Portland State (2010), Montana (2011-2015), and Hawaii (2016), with DC stints at Eastern Oregon (2009) and Hawaii (2017).
Co-Special Teams Coordinator/Rush Ends Coach, Chad Wilt
Chad Wilt joins Michigan State after serving as the DL coach at Liberty (2006-2008), Virginia (2009), Richmond (2010), Ball State (2011-2013), Maryland (2014-2015), Army (2016-2018), Cincinnati (2019), and Minnesota (2020-2021). Wilt was the defensive coordinator and co-DC (2023) most previously at Indiana.
Tight Ends Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, Brian Wozniak
Brian Wozniak was the Beavers’ TEs coach (2018-2023) before joining the Spartans. He was also Oregon State’s offensive graduate assistant (2015-2017) and quality control analyst (2017-2018 offseason).
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!