Michigan State University has officially named Jonathan Smith as its new head football coach, following the controversial departure of former coach Mel Tucker. Smith, who previously served as the head coach for the Oregon State Beavers for six years, will be leaving his post to join the Spartans. His tenure at Oregon State was marked by notable achievements, with the 2022 season being particularly successful. Under Smith's leadership, the Beavers secured 10 wins and earned a spot in the AP Top 25 rankings. In recognition of his accomplishments, Smith was honored as the Pac-12 Coach of the Year.

Smith's connection to Michigan State had been speculated upon prior to his appointment. The university had fired Tucker amidst allegations of sexual harassment, and Smith's name had emerged as a potential replacement. After a thorough investigation, Michigan State determined that Tucker had violated school policy and terminated his contract. In their statement announcing Smith's appointment, Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller praised the new coach's track record of success and highlighted his ability to recruit and develop talented student-athletes. Haller also commended Smith's teams for their physicality and innovation on the field, particularly noting their strong performance in rushing offense and defense.

During his six seasons at Oregon State, Smith achieved a win-loss record of 34-35. Although the program initially struggled under his leadership, the team showed significant improvement in the latter half of his tenure. This progress culminated in a contract extension for Smith following the impressive 10-win season in 2022. Interestingly, Smith's journey to becoming a head coach began at his alma mater, Oregon State, where he had previously played as a quarterback from 1998 to 2001. He then gained extensive experience as an assistant coach with various programs, including a stint with the Washington Huskies, during which the team won the Pac-12 title and reached the College Football Playoff in 2016.

Smith's new role as head coach of the Michigan State Spartans comes with the challenge of restoring the program's prominence. While Tucker had led the team to 11 wins in the 2021 season, the program had struggled to maintain consistent success after the departure of former coach Mark Dantonio. The Spartans ended the 2022 season with a disappointing 5-7 record and suffered a shutout loss to Penn State in their final game. Following this lackluster performance, the university made the decision to part ways with the entire coaching staff.

Smith's arrival at Michigan State also coincides with the aftermath of Tucker's scandal, which had cast a shadow over the program. The allegations of sexual harassment made by Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor, led to Tucker's firing for cause and the termination of his lucrative contract. Throughout the remainder of the season, interim coach Harlon Barnett took charge of the team. Smith will now face the task of rebuilding the program's reputation and instilling a new sense of stability and success at Michigan State.

In his statement addressing the transition, Smith expressed gratitude to his former colleagues and players at Oregon State and expressed excitement for the next chapter of his coaching career. With his proven track record and experience in quarterback development, Smith aims to make a significant impact at Michigan State and bring the program back to its former glory.