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Michigan State reportedly parts ways with Jonathan Smith after 2 seasons, per report
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Michigan State has reportedly fired head coach Jonathan Smith after just two seasons, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The news comes one day after the Spartans defeated Maryland, 38-28, to end their season at 4-8.
Smith, a former Oregon State quarterback, was the choice to help resurrect the Spartans program after Mel Tucker was fired after a sexual harassment accusation. After 16 wins in Smith’s first four seasons in Corvallis, the Beavers broke through with a 10-3 campaign and Top 20 postseason ranking in 2022 followed by a 8-4 mark in 2023.
He was then hired at Michigan State, going 5-7 overall and 3-6 in Big Ten play in 2024. However, those five wins — including all three B1G wins — along with wins from the 2022 and 2023 seasons were vacated in November, with the program put on three years’ probation by the NCAA as part of punishment for recruiting violations committed under Tucker.
In 2025, the Spartans won their first three games against Western Michigan, Boston College, and Youngstown State. They wouldn’t find the win column again until Week 14’s victory against Maryland in Detroit.
Smith will be due a buyout of just over $33 million as part of his termination from Michigan State.