Jonathan Smith is going to have plenty of money for his coaching staff at Michigan State.

247Sports’ Justin Thind reported that the program is going to give Smith a larger salary pool than Mel Tucker had while at Michigan State. It sounds like Michigan State is prepared to give Smith enough funds to pursue who he wants in East Lansing.

Smith’s assistant salary pool at Oregon State was reported at $4.85 million. Tucker reportedly received a $7.5 million pool after the extension he was given in 2021.

Tucker’s staff consisted of Jay Johnson (OC), Chris Kapilovic (AHC/OL/RGC), Scottie Hazelton (DC/LB), Ross Els (ST), Ted Gilmore (TE), Courtney Hawkins (WR), Effrem Reed (RB), Diron Reynolds (DL), Jim Salgado (CB) and Harlon Barnett before Barnett was elevated to interim head coach.

One thing to watch will be if any of Smith’s staff from the Beavers could follow him to East Lansing. Smith and his staff lead Oregon State to an 8-4 record and its 3rd straight bowl appearance this season.

Thind went on to report Smith “will prioritize” Trent Bray, Jim Michalzik and TE coach Brian Wozniak from his staff at Oregon State. It will be interesting to see how that develops in East Lansing, but it is an encouraging sign that MSU reportedly intends to invest in the assistant coaching pool.