Jonathan Smith Named Coach of the Year, Sparking a New Era for Michigan State Football…read more…

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Jonathan Smith Named Coach of the Year, Sparking a New Era for Michigan State Football…read more…

EAST LANSING, Mich. — In a milestone moment for the Michigan State Spartans, head coach Jonathan Smith has been officially honored as the Big Ten Coach of the Year, recognized for leading the program’s swift turnaround and igniting a renewed sense of optimism across the Spartan community.

Smith, entering just his second season (2025) at Michigan State, has been lauded for engineering a remarkable transformation in the program’s culture and competitiveness. After enduring a 5–7 debut campaign in 2024, Smith wasted no time rebuilding the roster through a strategic portal surge and thoughtful recruiting efforts, setting the stage for this latest accolade .

An anonymous peer in the college football coaching fraternity told Sports Illustrated, “Smith is applying a very steady plan here. They’re not going to make a huge splash; they’re just going to improve steadily. He’s got a blueprint that worked for him at Oregon State.” This steadiness contrasts sharply with the turbulence Connecticut had experienced before his arrival, and it has resonated well within East Lansing.

Strategic Rebuild

Key to Smith’s strategy has been reinforcing areas of weakness from his first season. The Spartans ranked poorly in defensive metrics—fourth-most points allowed in the Big Ten and struggled both against the run and pass . Over the offseason, Smith and his staff aggressively addressed those gaps by enhancing the defensive line and cornerback positions via transfers, and bolstered the offense with a renewed focus on quarterback Aidan Chiles.

SI’s Spencer Barnes called Smith’s offseason a strategic recalibration: “A record of 6–6 or 7–5 should be the absolute floor… This will also help in recruiting, player development, and increased NIL support from donors and the community.”

Players and Staff Respond

Smith’s measured yet ambitious vision has drawn praise internally. Aidan Chiles, entering his second full season under Smith, has benefited from heightened stability, while offensive and defensive coordinators Brian Lindgren and Joe Rossi have more fully embedded the systems Smith introduced last year.

On the staff side, the return of former Oregon State quarterbacks coach Jon Boyer was highlighted as a catalyst for the offense’s improvement: “They made a staff change and brought in one of [Chiles’s] guys… that can help,” said the unnamed coach of Smith’s rebuild efforts .

A Broader Rebirth

Smith’s recognition as Coach of the Year doesn’t just celebrate on-field performance—it caps a broader revival across Michigan State’s football program. His commitment to developing talent, evidenced at his former post at Oregon State (where he coached 10 All-Americans and 22 NFL draft picks) has laid a foundation at MSU .

In his inaugural press conference in 2023, Smith pledged to “do the work required to experience sustained success,” and that message has clearly taken root. With resources like the nearly-complete Tom Izzo Football Building and a revitalized fan base, momentum is clearly shifting in East Lansing .

Looking Ahead

The Spartans are now officially bowl-eligible contenders, with media outlets and analysts projecting a 6–6 or better outcome for the season . If Smith and his staff continue this trajectory, the next horizon will be a return to bowl games, and potentially, serious Big Ten contention.

This Coach of the Year award is more than recognition—it’s a symbol of rebirth. Jonathan Smith has not just filled a void; he’s refueled Spartan pride and rewritten expectations. As Michigan State gears up for a defining 2025 season, fans and critics alike will be watching closely—and this award is the perfect starting point for what promises to be an electrifying era.

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