The Michigan State Spartans football team is closing up shop on a drama-filled season that saw former head coach Mel Tucker fired after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced.
Harlon Barnett has replaced Tucker as the Spartans’ head coach, leading the team to a mere 2-7 record. He is not an option for the full-time gig as Michigan State Athletic Director Alan Haller searches for a full-time option.
According to this note from John Brice of Football Scoop, Haller and Co. have one primary target in mind. Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith has emerged as a top option in East Lansing.
The report goes on to note that MSU has also spoken to Mike Elko from Duke, Toledo’s Jason Candle, North Carolina State’s Dave Doeren and Pat Narduzzi of Pittsburgh.
Related: Bill O’Brien mentioned as possibility for Michigan State opening
Jonathan Smith as a fit for Michigan State
Smith, 44, has served as Oregon State’s head coach since back in 2018, leading the Beavers back to relevance after several seasons of struggles.
This season alone, Oregon State boasts an 8-3 record and ranks 15th in the nation heading into Friday’s rivalry game with the Oregon Ducks. They have defeated ranked teams such as Utah and UCLA while coming off a narrow loss to Washington.
A former quarterback for the Beavers, Smith got his start as a graduate assistant with Oregon State back in 2002. He’s also served as the quarterbacks coach for Idaho (2004-09), offensive coordinator at Montana (2010-11), quarterbacks coach for Boise State (2012-13) and both the offensive coordinator/QB coach at Washington (2014-17).
He obviously has a ton of experience on the offensive side of the ball. It’s an area that Michigan State is clearly targeting in its search for a new head coach.
Smith could be open to a move to MSU given the unknown future of the Oregon State program due to the pending dissolution of the PAC-12 Conference.