Michigan State University has decided to part ways with head football coach Jonathan Smith after a rough two-year stint. The move, announced by athletic director J Batt, follows a tough 2025 season where the Spartans ended up 4-8, dropping eight of their last nine games.
Smith was hired with plenty of optimism after a decent run at Oregon State. He leaves Michigan State with a 9-15 overall record and a 4-14 mark in Big Ten play.
The Downward Spiral of Michigan State Football
The 2025 season was just brutal for Michigan State fans. The team started with wins against Western Michigan, Boston College, and Youngstown State, but then things unraveled in conference play.
They opened Big Ten competition 0-8, getting hammered by USC, Nebraska, UCLA, Indiana, and Michigan—none of those losses were even close. Then came a tight overtime loss to Minnesota.
The only conference win? That didn’t come until the very last game, when they squeaked past Maryland.
Smith’s Tenure at Michigan State
Smith’s time in East Lansing was rocky and, honestly, just didn’t live up to expectations. His first season in 2024 ended 5-7, with a 3-6 record in Big Ten games.
There was some hope for a turnaround, but things never really clicked. When athletic director Alan Haller—who brought Smith in—left in May 2025, it seemed to throw the whole program off balance.
After that, the team’s performance just fell apart, and Smith was let go.
Financial Implications and Contract Details
Letting Smith go isn’t cheap for Michigan State. His seven-year contract means he’s owed more than $30 million.
On top of that, the school will need to spend millions more to find and land a new coach. It’s a tough spot, especially with the Big Ten getting even more competitive.
Previous Success at Oregon State
Before heading to Michigan State, Smith had a pretty interesting run at Oregon State. In six seasons, he went 34-35 overall but managed to notch back-to-back eight-win seasons for the first time in over a decade there.
That success made him an appealing choice for the Spartans, but the jump to the Big Ten turned out to be a much bigger challenge than anyone expected.
The Road Ahead for Michigan State
Since Mark Dantonio retired in 2019, stability has been hard to come by for Michigan State’s football program. Dantonio’s 13 years at the helm ended with two straight 7-6 seasons and a .500 Big Ten record in his last couple of years.
Mel Tucker came in next and, for a moment, things looked up—he led the Spartans to an 11-2 record in 2021. But his time was cut short in 2023 due to off-field problems, leaving the program in a mess.
The Challenge of Finding a New Coach
Now, Michigan State has to find someone who can finally bring some steadiness and real progress. The Big Ten’s only gotten tougher, with more powerhouse programs and higher stakes than ever.
Whoever takes over will need to recruit well, develop players, and find a way to survive a brutal conference schedule. Not exactly an easy gig, but someone’s got to take it on.
Looking Forward
Michigan State is about to start searching for a new head coach. The pressure’s on, and everyone knows it.
Fans and stakeholders are tired of the recent instability. There’s a real hunger for things to turn around, and soon.
The next coach can’t just win right away—they’ve got to build something that lasts. That’s a tall order, considering the financial and competitive hurdles ahead.
Still, with the right person at the helm, maybe Michigan State football can claw its way back to where it once was. Stranger things have happened, right?
For more details on Jonathan Smith’s firing and what’s happening with Michigan State football, check out the full article on OregonLive.
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