Ex-Oregon State Head Coach Jonathan Smith Fired By Michigan State
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Michigan State football announced the firing of head coach Jonathan Smith on Sunday, two years after he left the same position at his alma mater Oregon State.
In two seasons at Michigan State, he won nine games and lost 15, failing to qualify for a bowl game. Smith wrapped the 2025 season on Saturday with a 38-28 win over Maryland, Michigan State's only win over a Big Ten opponent this year.
MORE: Alabama Assistants Reportedly Joining JaMarcus Shephard at Oregon State
Smith spent six seasons at Oregon State (2018-2023) and accumulated an overall record of 34-35. Smith led the Beavers to bowl eligibility three times, including a ten-win season and a ranking of No. 17 at the end of the 2022 campaign.
""The 2025 football season has not lived up to our shared standards for Michigan State Football. While that does not fall solely on Jonathan Smith, it's become necessary to make a coaching change in order to chart a new direction for the program," Michigan State Athletic Director Jason "J" Batt said in a statement released Sunday.
Michigan State owes Smith over $30 million if he's fired without cause as of Dec. 1, 2025
Oregon State parted ways with Smith's replacement, Trent Bray, earlier this season after Bray went 5-14 at the post. The Beavers will formally introduce their latest head coach, former Alabama co-offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shephard, in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
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Joe Londergan joined the SI brand in 2023 with G5 Football Daily. With over 15 years of experience in covering and working directly in college and pro sports, Joe's expertise has been featured in Front Office Sports, SB Nation, and XRAY.FM. He is a member of both the Football Writers' Association of America and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association. Joe holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville and a master's degree in sports administration from Seattle University. Outside of his writing career, Joe enjoys golfing, although he admits that while he hits driver decently, his short game is a liability.
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