Saturday, Michigan State University announced the hiring of Jonathan Smith as the new head coach for their football team. Smith, who was previously coaching at Oregon State, was officially appointed shortly after both teams concluded their regular seasons.

The 44-year-old coach completed the regular season with Oregon State on Friday night, as the team suffered a 31-7 defeat against rival Oregon on the road, bringing their season record to 8-4. According to ESPN, Smith met with the Beavers' team on Saturday morning to inform them of his decision to leave for Michigan State.

In a statement, Smith expressed his gratitude to the players, coaches, and colleagues he worked with during his six-year tenure at Oregon State. He also thanked the people of OSU/Corvallis for their support, acknowledging the impact they had on his personal and professional life.

During his time as the Beavers' head coach, Smith, who had previously played as a quarterback for the team, achieved a record of 34-35. However, he experienced a significant improvement in recent seasons, with an 18-7 record since 2022. In that year, Oregon State went 10-3 and finished as the 17th-ranked team nationally, earning Smith the Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors, which he shared with Washington's Kalen DeBoer.

Michigan State's athletic director, Alan Haller, praised Smith's track record of success and his ability to build the Oregon State program from the ground up. He highlighted Smith's experience coaching in the College Football Playoff and working with championship staffs. Haller also commended Smith's teams for their physicality, innovation, and dominance in controlling the line of scrimmage.

The hiring of Jonathan Smith is pending approval by Michigan State's board of trustees. If approved, Smith is expected to be officially introduced as the new coach early next week.

Smith's appointment comes following the firing of coach Mel Tucker in September. Tucker was dismissed for cause after being suspended by the university. The decision to fire Tucker came after an investigation into a sexual misconduct claim brought against him. The Spartans finished the season under interim coach Harlon Barnett, ending with a 4-8 record.

Michigan State reportedly considered several FBS head coaches as candidates before ultimately deciding on Smith. Sources indicate that Smith's qualities align with those of former MSU coach Mark Dantonio, known for his talent development and competitive performance against bigger brands in the Big Ten.

Jonathan Smith, who previously served as Washington's offensive coordinator under Chris Petersen, had helped the Huskies secure a spot in the College Football Playoff in 2016. With coaching experience at Boise State, Montana, and Idaho, Smith's roots lie in the Northwest. The Big Ten conference is set to expand to the region in 2024 with the inclusion of Washington and Oregon.

Alan Haller expressed confidence in Smith's ability to recruit and develop talented student-athletes, particularly quarterbacks, which Haller considers crucial in today's college football landscape.

Smith becomes the second coach to be appointed in this hiring cycle, following the promotion of David Braun to the permanent role of head coach at Northwestern.

As Michigan State eagerly awaits the approval of their board of trustees, the arrival of Jonathan Smith could mark the beginning of a new era for the Spartan football program.