After just nine wins in two years, Michigan State has cut ties with Jonathan Smith, triggering a pivotal coaching search complicated by a massive buyout and the lingering shadow of Mel Tucker. Former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald has emerged as the frontrunner in a move that could redefine the program’s future, a development that signals the university is prioritizing on-field experience above all else.
The Jonathan Smith era at Michigan State is over, ending a brief and tumultuous tenure that failed to deliver the stability the program desperately craved. The university has moved on from the head coach after a dismal two-season stretch yielded just nine total victories, forcing the Spartans back into the coaching market at a moment of extreme vulnerability.
Smith was hired away from Oregon State in 2023, celebrated as a program-builder who could reconstruct the Spartans in the wake of the messy and controversial firing of Mel Tucker. With the Beavers, Smith had orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, culminating in 25 wins over his final three seasons. The hope in East Lansing was for a similar, methodical rebuild. Instead, the program stagnated, plagued by patterns of collapse.
Both of Smith’s seasons followed a disturbingly similar script: a promising 3-0 start followed by a complete freefall. In 2024, the Spartans lost seven of their last nine games. In 2025, an eight-game losing streak torpedoed the season before a lone Big Ten win against Maryland in the finale. This wasn’t just losing; it was an inability to stop the bleeding, a fatal flaw for a coach hired to be a steadying force.
The decision is a financially painful one. Smith is owed a buyout of approximately $33 million, a staggering sum for a university already embroiled in a lawsuit with Tucker over his termination for cause. This financial pressure makes the next hire even more critical; the Spartans cannot afford another misstep.
The Controversial Frontrunner: Pat Fitzgerald
In a move that immediately sent shockwaves through the college football world, Pat Fitzgerald has emerged as the expected hire to take over the program. Fitzgerald, the longtime former head coach of Northwestern, has been out of coaching since his dismissal amid a hazing scandal that rocked the university.
Hiring Fitzgerald is a clear high-risk, high-reward proposition. On the field, his credentials are unquestionable. He understands the Big Ten landscape intimately, having led Northwestern to multiple division titles and establishing a culture of tough, disciplined football. For a program adrift like Michigan State, his proven ability to build and sustain a winner is immensely appealing.
However, the baggage is significant. Fitzgerald recently reached a settlement in his wrongful-termination lawsuit against Northwestern, but the circumstances of his exit will undoubtedly follow him to East Lansing. Michigan State’s leadership is betting that his coaching prowess will overshadow the controversy, a gamble that could either stabilize the program for a decade or create a new wave of public relations headaches.
Analyzing the Other Potential Candidates
While Fitzgerald is the heavy favorite, Michigan State’s athletic department has vetted a list of other qualified coaches, each presenting a different vision for the program’s future. The initial list of candidates provides a clear look at the university’s priorities [USA TODAY].
- Brent Key, Georgia Tech: Key has done an impressive job rebuilding his alma mater and has a prior working relationship with Michigan State’s athletic director. His hard-nosed style would be a great fit in the Big Ten, but prying him away from Georgia Tech would be a difficult and expensive task.
- Brian Hartline, Ohio State: As the offensive coordinator for the rival Buckeyes, Hartline is one of the nation’s elite recruiters and brightest offensive minds. While he is destined for a head coaching job, his lack of experience running a program makes him a higher-risk, high-upside hire compared to a veteran like Fitzgerald.
- Matt Campbell, Iowa State: Campbell’s name frequently appears for major job openings. He has consistently overachieved at Iowa State and would be a strong cultural fit. However, he has turned down similar opportunities in the past, raising questions about whether he would finally be willing to leave Ames for East Lansing.
- Brian Kelly: The ultimate big-name hire. Despite a rocky ending at LSU, Kelly’s track record of winning at every stop—including Notre Dame and Cincinnati—is undeniable. The primary question isn’t whether MSU would want him, but whether he would see Michigan State as a desirable destination at this stage of his career.
- Mike Denbrock, Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish offensive coordinator has seen his stock soar and has past ties to the Spartans program as a graduate assistant. Like Hartline, his lack of head coaching experience is the biggest mark against him in a search that seems to be prioritizing proven leadership.
A Program at a Crossroads
The decision to fire Jonathan Smith and seemingly pivot to a controversial but established winner like Pat Fitzgerald underscores the immense pressure on Michigan State. The program cannot afford to be irrelevant in the expanded and increasingly competitive Big Ten. The next coach must not only win games but also restore a fractured culture, re-energize a donor base, and navigate the treacherous waters of NIL and the transfer portal.
By targeting Fitzgerald, the Spartans are signaling a desire for an immediate, tangible identity built on toughness and Big Ten experience. They are betting on a redemption story, hoping a proven winner can overcome his past and lead them back to contention. It’s a defining moment for the university—a high-stakes gamble that will shape the future of Spartan football for years to come.
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