DETROIT – As Michigan State wraps up a wild season, athletic director Alan Haller is apparently nearing the end of his search for the next head coach.
Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports on Friday night reported Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith has become the top target for the Spartans to take over the program and although the deal hasn’t been finalized, it could be completed this weekend.
That report came shortly before Michigan State (4-7, 2-6 Big Ten) kicked off its season finale against No. 11 Penn State (9-2, 6-2) at Ford Field in Detroit. Longtime assistant Harlon Barnett has served as interim coach since head coach Mel Tucker was suspended and fired for cause in September amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
No. 16 Oregon State (8-3, 5-3 Pac-12) kicked off against No. 6 Oregon at 8:30 p.m. on Friday.
With Smith’s name gaining traction in coaching searches and the school’s uncertain future with the crumbling Pac-12, Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes released a statement on Wednesday saying his top goal was to keep the coach.
“Coach Smith and I have had ongoing conversations for more than a month regarding his future at Oregon State and our path forward for football specifically and our athletic department generally,” Barnes wrote in the statement. “He has embraced our short and long term plans. My No. 1 priority is providing him with a new contract and guaranteed compensation that will help continue the success of the football program that has benefitted Oregon State University and Beavers’ athletics.”
Smith, a former quarterback at Oregon State, is in his sixth season leading his alma mater and was named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2022 after leading the program to just its third 10-win season. He began his career as a graduate assistant at Oregon State in 2002 before stops at Idaho, Montana, Boise State and was the offensive coordinator for four seasons at Washington before taking over the Beavers. He has a 34-34 coaching Oregon State and this will be his third straight winning season.