After compiling just a 9-15 overall record and 4-14 Big Ten mark during his two seasons in East Lansing, Jonathan Smith is no longer the head coach of the Michigan State Football program.
Statements from Michigan State brass on the firing of football coach Jonathan Smith: pic.twitter.com/wSaYGLrLzx
— Tony Paul | Detroit News (@TonyPaul1984) November 30, 2025
MSU's Jonathan Smith will get his full buyout, more than $30M. There are no talks of a settlement. He is owed; he'll get paid. The buyout also is expected to be entirely paid for by a donor, or donors; a major announcement on that front could be coming next month.
— Tony Paul | Detroit News (@TonyPaul1984) November 30, 2025
In today’s world of college athletics, especially on the football side of things, you have to act quickly when making a coaching change, and new athletic director J Batt already has his sights set on someone that knows what its like to coach in the Big Ten Conference:
Pat Fitzgerald has emerged as the target of Michigan State’s coaching search, sources confirm to ESPN. The sides are working toward a deal, which is expected to be finalized in the near future. @freep first reported Fitzgerald as the planned hire. pic.twitter.com/42m22s1tGo
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 1, 2025
The 51-year-old Fitzgerald spent 17 seasons as the head coach of Northwestern, his alma mater, compiling a 110-101 record from 2006-22 that included two Big Ten West Division titles and ten bowl game appearances.
