CORVALLIS, Ore. — Michigan State University has officially announced Jonathan Smith as the new head coach of the football program.
This comes less than 24 hours after the Beavers ended their 2023 season with a 31-7 loss to the No. 6 ranked Oregon Ducks.
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Smith was named head coach at Oregon State prior to the 2018 season. He finishes his coaching tenure at Oregon State with a 34-35 record, including an 8-4 record this season where the Beavers were ranked as high as 11th in the College Football Playoff rankings. Smith was also the recipient of the 2022 Pac-12 Coach of the Year award after leading the Beavers to their third 10-win season in program history with a final record of 10-3.
Smith released a statement on social media following the announcement, expressing gratitude towards the people he's worked with and the OSU community.
"When I arrived as a freshman college student, I had no idea the opportunities and relationships this community would provide for me and my family," he said.
He will become Michigan State's 26th head coach in program history. The Spartans have been without a head coach since September after former head coach Mel Tucker was suspended and eventually fired over allegations of sexual misconduct.
"Today is an exciting day for Michigan State as we welcome Jonathan Smith, wife Candice, and children Robert, Bella and Charles to our Spartan family," said MSU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Alan Haller in a statement. "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"
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Smith will inherit a program that finished with a 4-8 record this year, including a 2-7 record in conference play. He will see a return to the Northwest next season when Michigan State takes on the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on October 5th.
Scott Barnes, who is Oregon State University's vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics, confirmed the move Saturday.
Barnes added in an email that Smith and his staff "worked tirelessly to rebuild the culture at Oregon State, both on the field and in the classroom. All of Beaver Nation should thank him for the lasting legacy he has left to his alma mater and wish him and his family nothing but the best moving forward.
"We have immediately begun a national search to find the next Oregon State Head Football Coach," Barnes concluded.
Kefense Hynson has been named Oregon State's interim head coach. He was previously Oregon State's wide receivers and passing game coordinator, and has 19 seasons as a college football coach, including at Oregon State, Hawaii, Montana, Yale, Western Washington and Minnesota-Mankato/Boise State/Williamette. Hynson also was a three-time Northwest Conference defensive back at Williamette University, according to his bio.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.