Michigan State hires Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith as next coach

Two months after a search began, Michigan State football has a new head coach.

Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith was named the 26th coach of the Spartans, the university announced on Saturday afternoon. The move still requires formal approval of Michigan State’s Board of Trustees and Smith will have an introductory press conference early next week.

“Jonathan has a proven track record of success, building the Oregon State program from the ground up by implementing a plan resulting in sustained historic success for the Beavers,” Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller said in a university press release. “He’s been a part of championship staffs, coached in the College Football Playoff, and understands what’s required to be successful at the highest level, learning from some of the game’s most successful coaches.”

Michigan State’s move to hire Smith came after coach Mel Tucker was suspended two games into the year and fired for cause on Sept. 27 amid allegations of sexual harassment. His dismissal was finalized with nearly $80 million remaining on the 10-year, $95 million extension signed in November 2021.

Longtime assistant Harlon Barnett, who served as interim coach and finished 2-8 in his debut in the top spot, made another push for the full-time job after a 42-0 loss to No. 11 Penn State on Friday night at Ford Field in Detroit. However, the Spartans (4-8, 2-6 Big Ten) missed the postseason for a second straight year and a program reset is underway again.

Haller was able to lure Smith, a former starting quarterback for the Beavers, away from his alma mater amid a successful run. The Pac-12 has crumbled to just Oregon State and Washington State after a raid by the Big Ten and Michigan State has more money coming in from the conference’s media rights deal.

Smith, 44, was the 2022 Pac-12 Coach of the Year and his exit from Corvallis came a year after he signed a six-year, $30.6 million contract. Smith won just nine games in his first three seasons leading the Beavers but closed with three straight winning years, including 10 victories last season. No. 16 Oregon State (8-4) lost 31-7 at No. 6 Oregon on Friday night in his final game coaching the Beavers.

Smith began his career as a graduate assistant at Oregon State in 2002 before stops at Idaho, Montana, Boise State. He was the offensive coordinator for four seasons at Washington before taking over the Beavers.

Completing the coaching search a little more than 12 hours after Michigan State wrapped up a tumultuous season was ideal timing with key dates on the calendar rapidly approaching. Smith will have to quickly assemble a staff and shape up a roster by securing returning players with the transfer portal opening again on Dec. 4. The early signing period for the 2024 recruiting class is Dec. 20-22 and there’s still time to solidify that group.

Smith, a former walk-on, played for Oregon State from 1998-2001 and helped lead the program to its most successful season with 11 wins in 2000, capped by a Fiesta Bowl victory against Notre Dame. He closed his career as the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (9,680) and touchdown passes (55).

Smith, a California native, has no known ties to Michigan State and has spent his entire coaching career out West. After the Spartans’ last three hires – Tucker, Mark Dantonio and John L. Smith – had careers rooted in defense, Smith brings an offensive mind to East Lansing.

“On the field, his teams are tough and physical, yet innovative,” Haller said of Smith. “This year, Oregon State has controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, ranking among the nation’s leaders in both rushing offense and rushing defense. He’s shown not only the ability to recruit talented student-athletes who fit his system, but also to develop and maximize players once they’re in the program. At his core, he’s a quarterbacks coach, and throughout his career he’s been instrumental in the development of young quarterbacks, which is essential in today’s college football landscape.”