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Jonathan Smith retaining key piece of MSU coaching staff
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Jonathan Smith is keeping one key piece of the old Michigan State coaching staff in East Lansing.
On Monday, the Spartans officially announced wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins will stay with Michigan State as a part of Smith’s staff. Hawkins will retain the role of WRs coach under Smith.
Excited to announce @CoachHawk_5 as Wide Receivers coach!
Courtney Hawkins, a nine-year NFL veteran, has coached Spartan receivers since 2020, including multiple All-Big Ten selections, and NFL Draft picks Jalen Nailor and Jayden Reed.#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/3B1aUD08Sw
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) December 11, 2023
Hawkins is a former Spartan who went on to spend 9 years in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. He also has extensive work in the Michigan high school ranks as the head coach at Beecher High School prior to joining the Spartans.
Hawkins has especially been praised for his work with Jalen Nailor and Jayden Reed. Keon Coleman was also a budding star before transferring to Florida State this past offseason.
Retaining Hawkins and the reported hiring of DC Joe Rossi from Minnesota would give Smith some key Midwest pieces for his staff in East Lansing. While his Oregon State staff has been impressive, adding some assistants with regional ties is an important factor for recruiting.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.