Michigan State has let go of head football coach Jonathan Smith after two seasons, as confirmed by sources to The Athletic. Smith had signed a hefty seven-year contract worth $52.85 million when he joined the program for the 2024 season. Now, his buyout is more than $30 million.
During his time in East Lansing, Smith led the Spartans to a record of 9-15. He took over when the team was coming off a disappointing 4-8 season. The Spartans began the 2024 season with some promise, winning their first three games. However, they ended the season with a streak of eight straight losses, finishing 1-8 in Big Ten play. His overall season record stands at 5-7.
One of the key issues during Smith’s tenure was the team’s performances against ranked opponents, where they ended up 0-6 and were outscored by 139 points in those games. Notably, Michigan State lost to their rival Michigan when both teams were 4-3. This season also saw a surprising loss to a struggling UCLA team.
Smith’s departure continues a challenging period for Michigan State football. The program hasn’t bounced back since the successful era under coach Mark Dantonio, who led the team to three Big Ten titles and a College Football Playoff appearance. Dantonio’s last four seasons saw his team go 27-24, and his successor, Mel Tucker, had a strong second year with an 11-2 record. Unfortunately, Tucker’s career at MSU ended in 2023 due to serious allegations, and he is currently involved in legal battles.
Historically, Michigan State had a strong football program, marked by a reputation for toughness and success. However, recent struggles have impacted fan support and morale. Following the NCAA’s announcement of sanctions related to Tucker’s tenure, the university had to vacate 14 wins from 2022 to 2024. This included all five victories from Smith’s first season.
Before his time at Michigan State, Smith built a positive reputation at Oregon State, where he transformed a 2-10 team into a 10-3 champion, winning accolades like the Pac-12 Co-Coach of the Year. With over 20 years in coaching, Smith has mentored numerous players, including 10 All-Americans and 22 NFL Draft picks.
As he navigates this unexpected exit, Smith is likely to attract attention from various programs seeking to enhance their coaching staff, especially given his impressive track record in player development and offensive strategy.
For more on Michigan State’s recent challenges and updates on NCAA sanctions, you can visit the NCAA official site.
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Michigan State Spartans, College Football
