Michigan State names Oregon State's Jonathan Smith as new coach - ESPN

Michigan State hired Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith for the same role Saturday, hours after both teams ended their regular seasons.

Smith, 44, completed the regular season Friday night as No. 16 Oregon State fell to rival Oregon 31-7 on the road, dropping to 8-4 on the season. The former Beavers quarterback is 34-35 in six seasons at his alma mater, but 18-7 since the start of the 2022 campaign. He shared Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors with Washington's Kalen DeBoer in 2022, when Oregon State went 10-3 and finished No. 17 nationally.

«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,» Michigan State 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. On the field, his teams are tough and physical, yet innovative. This year, Oregon State has controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, ranking among the nation's leaders in both rushing offense and rushing defense.»

A new era of Spartan Football is here!

Please welcome Jonathan Smith as the 26th Head Coach in program history.