<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1Tg74K_0psB0wxk00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1Tg74K_0psB0wxk00" width="1200" height="627" >Michigan State football could reportedly hire its next head coach soon. Oregon State head coach <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Jonathan-Smith-1601">Jonathan Smith</a> has surfaced as the primary target for the Spartans' vacancy, <a href="https://247sports.com/college/michigan-state/article/michigan-state-football-head-coach-jonathan-smith-vacancy-target-221200585/">SpartanTailgate confirmed</a>. The search is in the final stages and a decision could be complete by the end of the weekend, <a href="https://x.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1728213370971795652?s=20">according to Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports and The Athletic</a>.Smith, a former Oregon State quarterback, is 34-34 in six seasons as head coach of the Beavers, including 18-6 in the past two. In 2022, Oregon State reached 10 wins for the first time in 16 seasons. The head coach position at Michigan State has been vacant since mid-September after <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Mel-Tucker-3447">Mel Tucker</a> was fired for cause amid an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Longtime Spartans assistant coach <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Harlon-Barnett-98">Harlon Barnett</a> has served as the interim for much of the 2023 season.A handful of Power Five programs are reportedly interested in poaching Smith away from Oregon State given the program's successful turnaround under his watch. Ahead of the final weekend of the regular season, Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes <a href="https://247sports.com/Article/oregon-state-ad-new-contract-for-coach-jonathan-smith-is-no-1-priority-221046900/">said new contract discussions for Smith and assistant coaches are ongoing</a>."Coach Smith and I have had ongoing conversations for more than a month regarding his future at Oregon State and our path forward for football specifically and our athletic department generally," <a href="https://x.com/johncanzanobft/status/1727400705806463357?s=20">Barnes said in a statement earlier this week</a>. "He has embraced our short and long term plans. My No. 1 priority is providing him with a new contract and guaranteed compensation that will help continue the success of the football program that has benefitted Oregon State University and Beavers' Athletics. Coach Smith and I have also discussed our commitment to extending assistant coaches' contracts and increasing the salary pool for his staff to retain the continuity of what they have all built together for Beaver Nation."Smith was candid about his contact with other schools, explaining earlier this week that his agent as a job to do."I'm not trying to be sarcastic here. I've got an agent that's got a job," <a href="https://x.com/johncanzanobft/status/1727156377494389141?s=20">Smith told college football reporter John Canzano</a>. "He best be finding out what is out there and people calling. That's how that works. I can tell you from his side he best be working just because I'm paying him so much. They get a percentage and I'm making him a couple million bucks. I'm not trying to be sarcastic. Any coach, they're aware of what's potentially out there if their agent is doing their job. I'm not trying to dodge the question. I'm trying to be truthful."Get football and recruiting scoop on your favorite college team for $1 for first month.Both Oregon State and Michigan State conclude their regular-season schedule Friday night. The Beavers (8-3) already clinched bowl eligibility, while the Spartans (4-7) will miss the postseason for the second consecutive year.Raymond Lucas Jr. contributed to this report.</div></body>

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Michigan State football targeting Oregon State's Jonathan Smith as next head coach

Michigan State football could reportedly hire its next head coach soon. Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith has surfaced as the primary target for the Spartans' vacancy, SpartanTailgate confirmed. The search is in the final stages and a decision could be complete by the end of the weekend, according to Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports and The Athletic.