Michigan State football on “5-yard line” with Jonathan Smith negotiations

Michigan State football and Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith are reportedly at the “5-yard line” with their negotiations.

The Mel Tucker and Co. era has officially come to an end with Michigan State football.

The final game of the era was a fitting one as Jay Johnson’s offense mustered just 68 yards of total offense and no touchdowns while the defense gave up over 500 yards and 42 points. It was the final blowout of an era full of lopsided losses.

And now Michigan State is moving on with its sights set on a new coach.

If all the rumors and speculation are true, the Spartans are zeroing in on Jonathan Smith from Oregon State and it sounds like he may be on his way to East Lansing sooner rather than later. According to a report from Adam Rittenberg, the Spartans and Smith are on the “5-yard line” in negotiations.

Michigan State and Jonathan Smith are at “the 5-yard line,” a source said, but still some meetings later today before anything is finalized with the Oregon State coach.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 25, 2023

This is an encouraging sign as Smith is expected to be the next head coach and although he’s told the media that nothing has been decided, it seems like behind the scenes, that’s just not correct. He would become the second straight coach who Michigan State poached from the Pac-12.

And Smith is going to be an intriguing hire.

Oregon State was at rock bottom before Smith was hired and he called Oregon State his “dream job” because it’s where he went to school and played football a couple of decades ago. And he’s still young at 44 years old. Players seem to love playing for Smith and he could return the program back to where it belongs at or near the top of the Big Ten.

If he can turn Oregon State around, he can absolutely succeed in East Lansing with more resources.

Buckle up, folks. It sounds like this deal is about to get done.