EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State fired head football coach Jonathan Smith on Sunday. The announcement was made by Vice President and Director of Athletics J Batt, who cited the need for a new direction following a challenging 2025 campaign.
“The 2025 football season has not lived up to our shared standards for Michigan State Football,” Batt said in a statement. “While that does not fall solely on Jonathan Smith, it’s become necessary to make a coaching change.” Batt expressed appreciation for Smith’s professionalism and the effort shown by the team throughout the season.
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Dec. 1, 2025 ~ Detroit Free Press MSU beat writer Chris Solari joins Chris Renwick, Lloyd Jackson, and Jamie Edmonds to discuss MSU‘s move to fire head football coach Jonathan Smith. Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
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— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) December 1, 2025
(CONTINUED) Smith compiled a 9-15 record during his two years in East Lansing after being hired in November 2023 from Oregon State, where he led the Beavers to three consecutive bowl appearances. Despite early optimism, Michigan State struggled to meet expectations in the Big Ten, prompting the university to begin a search for new leadership. .
Michigan State announced Monday that the Spartans are hiring former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald as Smith’s replacement. Fitzgerald spent 17 seasons leading the Wildcats, winning two Big Ten West titles and earning multiple Coach of the Year honors before his departure in 2023.
