Jonathan Smith expresses confidence in decision to take Michigan State job

New Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith is really confident in his new spot in East Lansing.

Smith left Oregon State to take on a new challenge and he couldn’t be more confident in his decision. But now, he’ll have to rebuild a team that was just 11-2 only two years ago but fallen on hard times since.

But if there’s one thing Smith said of Michigan State: he’s ready and he’s all in.

“I’ve got confidence in this move,” Smith said. “I cannot overstate the idea of transition of the family all the way over here. I cannot overstate how important and confident I think we are in this thing. We are confident in this thing and it’s so exciting to be here and really get started. This is a big day, you get on stage, you get to be up the press conference to go get to answer some questions with the press, got a basketball game to go to tonight. 

“I’m looking forward to diving into these players and getting to that meeting room and setting plans and really getting started because it’s going to take some work. I think a lot of us in this room understand this is going to take some work and I am definitely excited and up for the challenge and opportunity that’s in front of us.”

Smith finished his time at Oregon State 34-35 from 2018-23 but don’t let the record fool you. Rebuilding over the course of his first three years was tough.

But from 2021-23, Oregon State went 25-13 and finished No. 17 last year in the AP Poll. The Beavers are currently No. 21 in the poll.

But, it was time for a new challenge at Michigan State.

“I thought a lot of what I value,” Smith said. “Which, wherever I’m at, I’m going to value these things. Again, the family piece, the community network, a passionate fanbase. The opportunity to win, the resources available to win, the community that is invested to win. I think all of that was here. That was brewing in my mind.”

Now, as he takes over at Michigan State, Smith has another rebuild ahead of him. He’s leaving his old one behind and committing to this new one, though, because of what all the Spartans have to offer moving forward.

It should be an interesting transition to the Big Ten with a bevy of football powers, plus some familiar Pac-12 foes coming over as well.