Michigan State has hired Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith as its new head coach, the Spartans announced Saturday afternoon.
Smith has been at Oregon State, his alma mater, since 2018 in what is his first stint as a college head coach. In that span, the Beavers have gone 34–35, but Smith is 18–7 since last year, including Oregon State’s first 10-win season since 2006 last year.
“Jonathan has a proven track record of success, building the Oregon State program from the ground up by implementing a plan resulting in sustained historic success for the Beavers,” MSU athletic director Alan Haller said in a statement. “He’s been a part of championship staffs, coached in the College Football Playoff, and understands what’s required to be successful at the highest level, learning from some of the game’s most successful coaches.”
