The Michigan State Spartans have quickly landed upon its next head coaching hire. On Friday night, Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith was identified as the program’s top candidate.
By early afternoon Saturday, it was reported that the Spartans were closing to hiring their man.
Michigan State to Hire Jonathan Smith
Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported that Michigan State is “set to hire” Smith away from the Beavers.
Smith, 44, spent six seasons at Oregon State. He amassed a 34-35 record with the program but was 25-13 over the last three years.
Smith won the Pac-12 Coach of the Year honor after producing a 10-3 finish in 2022. He previously played quarterback at Oregon State from 1998 through 2001.
The Spartans were desperate to get out from the shadow of the Mel Tucker scandal. Tucker was relieved after a 2-0 start, and the Spartans stumbled to a 4-8 record. Michigan State Athletic Director Alan Haller fired the entire staff after the season.
Smith reportedly held a team meeting as the news was broken. With the new age of the college football transfer portal, it will be interesting to see which, if any, of the current Oregon State players attempt to jump ship.
Michigan State officially announced the news just moments after the news broke.
A new era of Spartan Football is here!
Please welcome Jonathan Smith as the 26th Head Coach in program history.
📰 | https://t.co/cianmGIS3E#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/3lGTurivLF
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) November 25, 2023
Smith becomes the 26th head coach in the history of the Michigan State football program.
Both Michigan State and Oregon State finished their regular seasons on Friday of Week 13. The Beavers, however, will need to move quickly or place an interim tag on a current member of the staff for their upcoming bowl game.
We’ll continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
Jonathan Smith Coaching Resume
- Oregon State Beavers – Grad Assistant Coach (2002-2003)
- Idaho Vandals – Quarterbacks Coach (2004-2009)
- Montana Grizzlies – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach (2010-2011)
- Boise State Broncos – Quarterbacks Coach (2012-2013)
- Washington Huskies – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach (2014-2017)
- Oregon State Beavers – Head Coach (2018-2023)
- Michigan State Spartans – Head Coach (2023-present)