Jonathan Smith hiring: Fans, media react to MSU's new head coach
Jonathan Smith’s announcement as the next head coach at Michigan State caused some commotion on social media.
Smith will be moving to East Lansing after spending 2018-2023 in Corvallis with Oregon State. The Beavers are set to be one of the last Pac-12 teams remaining along with Washington State after the remainder of the teams join new conferences in 2024.
Smith coached former Oregon State to an 8-4 record this season with transfer quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei under center. Smith started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Oregon State. He has had stops at Idaho, Montana, Boise State, and Washington in assistant roles.
Michigan State fans went nuts after the news broke. Meanwhile, a number of media members praised Michigan State for the hire.
Smith will see some familiar faces in the B1G next season when the Spartans travel to face Oregon. That game is set for Saturday, Oct. 5 2024 between Oregon and Michigan State in Eugene.
Here are some of the reactions to the huge hire by the Spartans:
Jonathan Smith to Michigan State official. Great hire by the Spartans. https://t.co/STfmM2Xaxt
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 25, 2023
Good hire. Really sucks. It was inevitable that this would happen going forward to Oregon State but it’s so grim that it happens this quickly with a beloved alum https://t.co/gUEdX846XC
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) November 25, 2023
https://t.co/9gRJvCUTwh pic.twitter.com/VjTOObx9of
— Joe Dandron (@JoeMDandron) November 25, 2023
Excellent Coach. Solid hire.
Sad for Oregon State to lose him but understandable. https://t.co/3AFCzm8X31— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) November 25, 2023
Welcome, Coach! https://t.co/5X8YqL5e7K pic.twitter.com/IuU0Hf4Hj6
— Nico Mancini (@Nmancini40) November 25, 2023
This is, unfortunately, a really solid hire for Sparty. https://t.co/BAHuezvaqS
— Poerbler (@Poerbler) November 25, 2023
It’s the year of the Real-Ass Ball Coach. We’ve been due for a significant course correction after years of splash hires as the primary focus around the P5 https://t.co/wotnsQ97rX
— Patrick Mayhorn (@patrick_mayhorn) November 25, 2023
Here we go!! 💚🤍💪 Spartans Will!! https://t.co/JXzECkr0YJ
— Mercer “lun-YES-🔑” Luniewski (@MercerLuniewski) November 25, 2023
There it is. MSU lands its top target. Hire has still has to be formalized by the BOT, but it’s done. https://t.co/aBDbYAo6a0
— Stephen Brooks (@StephenM_Brooks) November 25, 2023
Well that’s one way to make sure he was coaching in the Big Ten next year https://t.co/gVn56K27zh
— Brandon Velaski (@bvelaski) November 25, 2023
Athletic Director Alan Haller got his man. Haller identified him as the top option after the second round of interviews and was able to seal the deal https://t.co/MoMVxHDlnS
— Corey Robinson (@C_Robinson247) November 25, 2023