Bruce Feldman says Michigan State is 'focused' on Jonathan Smith from Oregon State

Michigan State is in the market for a new head football coach, and according to Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman, they may have found a likely candidate out west.

Feldman joined Big Noon Kickoff Saturday morning ahead of Week 13’s Rivalry Week slate, where he further fanned the flames of rumors that Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith could be the next head honcho in East Lansing. When asked about Michigan State’s efforts in the coaching carousel, Feldman immediately noted their focus on Smith.

Here was that report:

“Well, after months of a coaching search, they have focused their attention on Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith. Now, he has done a really amazing job breathing life back into his alma mater’s program for the last few years. He also knows that it’s a very tricky time as you’ve got the uncertainty with the Beavers in life after the Pac-12. So I don’t think it’s any slam dunk he makes this decision right now, but he is the one that they really want and we’ll see where it goes this weekend.”

Per Feldman, MSU is looking hard at Smith and could very well send him the job offer soon. He’s not certain that Smith would accept the job given that he’s a Beaver at heart and has long called Corvalis home. However, with the likely pay bump and the upgrade to the Big Ten when Oregon State is in conference free fall, it’ll be hard for Jonathan Smith to say no.