EAST LANSING – Michigan State football has officially hired Jonathan Smith as the university’s next head coach, according to a press release. Smith is the 26th head football coach in school history. 

Smith, who was at Oregon State for six seasons, went 25-13 in his time with the Beavers, including an 8-4 record in the regular season, along with a third straight bowl appearance. 

Smith was named the 2022 Pac-12 Coach of the Year, and has built OSU into a contender in the conference. 

“Today is an exciting day for Michigan State as we welcome Jonathan Smith, wife Candace, and children Robert, Bella and Charles into the Spartan family,” said MSU athletic director Alan Haller. 

“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. 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.”

Under Smith, the Beavers went 16-2 at Reser Stadium, creating one of the toughest home atmospheres in all of college football.

Smith was a four-year letterwinner quarterback for Oregon State from 1998-2001, where he led the Beavers to a program-record 11 win season.