Coaching Changes - Jonathan Smith Leaves Oregon State for Michigan State

November 25, 2023 by CollegeFootballPoll.com Staff

The day after finishing 2-8 under interim head coach Harlon Bennett, and a disappointing 4-8 on the year after firing Mel Tucker with cause just two games into the season, Michigan State today announced the surprising hiring of Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith.

The Beavers were 8-4 in the regular season this year, and Smith leaves with an over-all record of 34-35, a conference mark of 23-29, and a bowl record of 1-1. Oregon State and Washington State are the two schools that have been left behind in the mass exodus of programs out of the PAC-12.

Bennett, the DB coach at MSU, was appointed interim head coach during the suspension and eventual firing of Tucker in the wake of sexual harassment allegations brought forth by Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor and victim's advocate. Tucker admitted in interviews with the school that he (pleasured himself) during a phone call with Tracy.

Tucker was 2014 over-all and 12-13 in Big Ten play in 3 seasons + 2 games.

Smith became first Oregon State grad to serve as head coach. As a player, Smith was a walk-on who wound up starting 38 games at quarterback and, in 2000, led the Beavers to an 11-1 season that culminated with a 41-9 rout of Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. It is the school's greatest season since joining the PAC-8/PAC-10/PAC-12 in 1968.

SEE: Coaching Changes