Michigan State fired head football coach Jonathan Smith on Sunday, according to multiple reports, ending his tenure after a 4-8 campaign in Year 2 in East Lansing.
Smith finished 4-15 overall (9-15 without counting vacated wins from the Mel Tucker era) with the Spartans, failing to deliver the program reset the administration sought.
Smith arrived from his alma mater, Oregon State, where he went 34-35 in six seasons. The Beavers broke through late in his Corvallis run, reaching the LA Bowl at 7-6 in 2021 before surging to 10-3 in 2022, capped by a Las Vegas Bowl win and a No. 17 final national ranking. An 8-4 mark in 2023 fueled Michigan State’s pursuit, but momentum never translated to the Big Ten.
After a 5-7 debut season prior to vacated wins, the Spartans slid further in 2025, finishing 1-8 in conference play.
The Spartans have struggled to compete under Smith, who was on a hot seat early. He coached a season-closing 38-28 win over Maryland. However, Michigan State opted to move on.
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