EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State head football coach Jonathan Smith has announced several hirings to his coaching and support staff.
Blue Adams (secondary), Keith Bhonapha (assistant head coach/running backs), Brian Lindgren (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Jim Michalczik (offensive line/run game coordinator), Legi Suiaunoa (defensive line) and Brian Wozniak (tight ends/recruiting coordinator) join Smith’s coaching staff in East Lansing, while Mike McDonald (head strength and conditioning coach), Dan Van De Riet (chief of staff), Cole Moore (general manager), Michael Doctor (director of recruiting and player relations) and Austin D’Armond (director of recruiting communications) will be on the Spartan support staff for the program.
The hirings are dependent on the completion of all university employment procedures.
“This is an experienced staff with a proven track record,” said Smith. “They have coached numerous NFL Draft picks and All-Americans while winning championships and bowl games throughout their entire coaching careers. This staff has the ability to find talent and develop players, and they have won at every level of football. They are also an outstanding group as people and will create meaningful relationships with our players. I couldn’t be more excited to continue working with this excellent staff of coaches and welcome their families to East Lansing.”
BLUE ADAMS – Secondary
Blue Adams, who brings nearly 15 years of coaching experience with him to East Lansing including stints at both the collegiate and NFL levels, will join the MSU staff as the Spartans’ secondary coach.
“Blue Adams has done an excellent job mentoring and developing defensive backs on our staff the last five years,” said Smith. “He has coached multiple NFL Draft picks and gained valuable experience both playing and coaching in the NFL. He has learned from some of the top coaches in the game, and his emphasis on technique and fundamentals has led to our secondary playing fast and physical while also creating takeaways. Coach Adams is also an excellent recruiter and creates strong player relationships.”
Adams spent five seasons (2019-23) on Smith’s staff as the secondary coach at Oregon State. After helping OSU to an 8-4 record in 2023 to become bowl eligible, Adams has now guided six teams to a bowl game as a coach and three as a player while at Cincinnati.
In 2023, Adams coached OSU freshman defensive back Jermod McCoy and senior defensive back Kitan Oladapo, who both tied for fifth in the Pac-12 with nine passes defended (two interceptions, seven pass break-ups). Additionally, senior defensive back Ryan Cooper Jr. was tied for seventh in the Pac-12 in pass break-ups (7) and also had a 67-yard interception return for a touchdown against UCLA on Oct. 14.
Oladapo, who ranked second on OSU’s defense with 63 tackles, earned first-team All-America honors from Pro Football Focus and was the fourth-highest graded safety in the nation; he was also named to the All-Pac-12 Second Team. Cooper and Akili Arnold picked up honorable mention All-Pac-12 accolades.
The Beavers ranked third in the Pac-12 in interceptions during the 2023 regular-season with 12 interceptions, also ranking fifth in the conference in passing yards allowed per game (236.2). OSU’s pass defense only allowed two pass plays of 50-plus yards, the second fewest in the league.
Adams helped develop former junior college defensive back Rejzohn Wright into a first-team All-Pac-12 selection his senior season in 2022 as the Beavers ranked No. 1 in the Pac-12 and No. 13 in the FBS in team passing efficiency defense. In addition, Jaydon Grant picked up second-team honors after compiling 64 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and six pass break-ups. Redshirt sophomore Alex Austin, an honorable mention choice, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills and is now on the active roster for the New England Patriots.
During his first two seasons at Oregon State, Adams coached Nahshon Wright, brother of Rejzohn, who became a third-round NFL Draft selection (No. 99 overall) by Dallas and is now in his third season playing for the Cowboys. Wright was the highest drafted player in the Beaver secondary in six years.
After being appointed secondary coach following the 2018 season, Adams helped the OSU defense improve by 13.2 points per game allowed and 91.1 yards less allowed in 2019 compared to 2018, as well as also improving in rush defense, points allowed and third down defense.
Prior to his time in Corvallis, Adams was at South Florida from 2017-18, serving as secondary coach and helping guide the Bulls to a 17-8 record during his two seasons. He mentored secondary players Deatrick Nichols and Devin Abraham in earning honorable mention All-American Athletic Conference accolades. USF played in the 2017 Birmingham Bowl and the 2018 Gaspiralla Bowl during Adams’ time with the Bulls.
Before his time at USF, Adams spent one season at West Virginia, also coaching the Mountaineers’ secondary, helping WVU to a 10-3 record in 2016 and a No. 18 national ranking, playing in the 2016 Russell Athletic Bowl. In Morgantown, Adams coached cornerback Rasul Douglas, who earned All-American honors, along with garnering first-team All-Big 12 honors after being the co-national leader with eight interceptions. Douglas was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and is currently with the Buffalo Bills.
Adams had a three-year coaching stint in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins from 2012-15 as an assistant coach, overseeing the safeties and defensive backs. Cornerback Brent Grimes was named a three-time Pro Bowler from 2013-15, while strong safety Reshad Jones earned Pro Bowl accolades in 2015.
Starting his coaching career at Purdue as a graduate assistant in 2010, before his first full-time coaching stint at Northern Iowa from 2011-12, Adams helped the Panthers to back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference championships, finishing with final rankings of No. 18 in 2011 and No. 5 in 2012. At UNI, Adams coached first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference cornerback Varmah Sonie.
He played four seasons in the NFL after being selected by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Adams also spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2003), Chicago Bears (2004), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2005-06), Cincinnati Bengals (2007) and Atlanta Falcons (2008), along with playing for the Rhein Fire (2004) and Montreal Alouettes (2009).
Adams was a four-year letterwinner (1999-2002) at Cincinnati, earning second-team All-Conference USA honors as a junior. He played in the 2000 and 2001 Motor City Bowls and the 2002 New Orleans Bowl with the Bearcats.
A native of Miami, Florida, Adams earned honorable mention all-state and first-team all-county honors at Miami Senior High School.
Adams earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Cincinnati in 2003.
THE ADAMS FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Secondary coach at Oregon State (2019-23)
Secondary coach at South Florida (2017-18)
Defensive backs coach at West Virginia (2016)
Assistant coach, overseeing safeties and defensive backs with Miami Dolphins (2012-15)
Secondary coach at Northern Iowa (2011-15)
Graduate assistant defensive coach at Purdue (2010)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Four-year letterwinner as a defensive back at Cincinnati (1999-2002)
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:
2022 Las Vegas Bowl
2021 Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl
2018 Gasparilla Bowl
2017 Birmingham Bowl
2016 Russell Athletic Bowl
2002 New Orleans Bowl (Player)
2001 Motor City Bowl (Player)
2000 Motor City Bowl (Player)
KEITH BHONAPHA – Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs
Keith Bhonapha (BONE-uh-fuh) comes to East Lansing with 20 years of collegiate experience, most recently with Smith at Oregon State in 2023.
“Keith Bhonapha is an experienced, proven coach who has been a part of championship teams and has developed some very productive running backs that have gone on to the NFL,” said Smith. “I have been on three different coaching staffs with Keith and I am very impressed with his football knowledge and expertise. He fully understands what we’re trying to accomplish on the offensive side of the ball, and also has extensive experience coaching special teams.”
By helping Oregon State to an 8-4 record in 2023 to become bowl eligible, Bhonapha has coached 15 teams to a bowl game as a coach and was a part of two bowl games as a player while at Hawai’i.
In 2023, Bhonapha coached sophomore running back Damien Martinez, a Doak Walker Award semifinalist who ranked second in the Pac-12 and 20th in the FBS during the regular season in rushing (98.75 ypg), also ranking second in the conference in both rushing yards (1,185) and rushing attempts/game (16.2). A two-time selection to the All-Pac-12 First Team, Martinez was also fifth in yards per carry (6.11) and tied for sixth in rushing TDs (9). He scored six rushing TDs in a two-game span (vs. Stanford and vs. Washington), becoming the first Beaver to do that since Jacquizz Rodgers in 2010. Martinez finished the regular season with 1,185 rushing yards, ranking him at No. 13 in the Oregon State single-season record books. He also has 2,167 career rushing yards, putting him at No. 10 in the Oregon State career record books in just two seasons.
Additionally during the 2023 regular season, Oregon State was second in the Pac-12 in yards per carry (5.06), while ranking third in rushing TDs (26), fourth in rushing attempts per game (35.8) and fifth in rushing yards per game (180.8).
Before his stint with Oregon State, Bhonapha was associate head coach and running backs coach at Boise State in 2022, also overseeing BSU’s special teams during his second stint in Boise, helping the Broncos to the 2022 Frisco Bowl.
In 2022, BSU was second in the Mountain West in both rushing (196.4 ypg) and rushing yards per carry (5.0), while ranking third in rushing TDs (27). Bhonapha helped coach running back George Holani to second-team All-Mountain West honors, after ranking third in the MW in rushing yards (1,157) and fourth in both rushing average (89.0 ypg) and rushing TDs (10). Under Bhonapha’s mentoring, running back Ashton Jeanty and placekicker Jonah Dalmas also earned honorable mention All-MW accolades.
Bhonapha coached at Washington from 2014-2021 as the Huskies’ running backs coach and also oversaw UW’s special teams in 2021, working with then-UW offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith for the first four seasons with the Huskies. Bhonapha was also Washington’s recruiting coordinator from 2014-19, helping the Huskies land three Top 25 recruiting classes. While at Washington, Bhonapha coached in five bowl games, including three New Year’s Six appearances (2015 Cactus Bowl, 2016 CFP Semifinal at the Peach Bowl, 2017 Fiesta Bowl, 2019 Rose Bowl, 2019 Las Vegas Bowl).
In 2019, Bhonapha mentored a group of running backs sharing time and combined for nearly 2,000 rushing yards. They were led by then-junior Salvon Ahmed, who became the ninth Husky in the previous 10 seasons to rush for 1,000 yards, finishing the year with 1,020, to go with 11 touchdowns. Additionally, then-redshirt freshman Richard Newton ran for 498 yards and 10 TDs. During that span, Washington’s running backs lost just one fumble in 13 games.
At UW, Bhonapha also coached Myles Gaskin, who became just the 10th player in FBS history to rush for four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons (2015-18). Gaskin was also just the second player in NCAA history to eclipse 1,200 yards for four straight years, joining Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne to accomplish that feat. Gaskin completed his career at Washington with a school-record 62 touchdowns and 5,323 rushing yards. He also held school records for 100-yard rushing games (26), rushing attempts (945), rushing yards per game (102.4), rushing touchdowns (57), rushes of 50-plus yards (10), and all-purpose yards (5,878). A 2016 first-team All-Pac-12 honoree, Gaskin was selected in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins and is currently in his fifth season in the NFL.
Bhonapha’s first stint at Boise State was from 2006-13, where he oversaw the Broncos’ running backs from 2009-13 and was BSU’s director of operations from 2006-08. He helped Boise State to the 2007 Fiesta Bowl and the legendary thrilling victory over Oklahoma, as BSU became just the second team from a non-automatic qualifier conference team to both play in and win a BCS bowl game.
Additionally, he helped Boise State to the 2007 Hawai’I Bowl, 2008 Poinsettia Bowl, 2010 Fiesta Bowl, the 2010-12 Las Vegas Bowls, and the 2013 Hawai’I Bowl.
During his first tenure with the Broncos, BSU running backs surpassed the 1,000-yards mark five times, starting with Jeremy Avery rushing for 1,151 yards in 2009. Doug Martin then rushed for 1,260 yards in 2010 and 1,299 yards in 2011, getting drafted in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Martin went on to play seven seasons in the NFL, earning Pro Bowl honors twice (2012, 2015). In 2012, D.J. Harper went for 1,137 yards, before two-time first-team All-MW honoree Jay Ajayi amassed 1,425 yards in 2013.
Ajayi finished his collegiate career with 678 rushes for 3,796 yards and 50 rushing touchdowns, which all ranked in the top three spots on the Boise State career lists. He is the only player in Boise State history with three games of 200-plus yards rushing. Ajayi was later drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2015 and was a member of the Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, before retiring at the end of the 2022 season.
Bhonapha coached at Hawai’I, his alma mater, from 2003-05, working with UH’s defensive backs and special teams.
A four-year letterwinner at Hawai’I (1999-2002), Bhonapha was a defensive back for the Rainbow Warriors, playing 35 games in his career, posting 55 tackles and scored a touchdown on a blocked punt. He helped UH to the 1999 Oahu Bowl game vs. Oregon State and the 2002 Hawai’I Bowl vs. Tulane.
A native of Oakland, California, Bhonapha earned his bachelor’s degree from Hawai’I in liberal studies with a focus in criminology in 2003, and his master’s degree from Hawai’I in public administration in 2005.
Bhonapha and his wife Julia, have four children, Isaiah, Emery, Odin and Ellison.
THE BHONAPHA FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Assistant head coach and running backs coach at Oregon State (2023)
Associate head coach and running backs coach at Boise State (2022)
Running backs coach Washington (2014-21)
Running backs coach at Boise State (2009-13)
Director of operations at Boise State (2006-08)
Defensive backs and special teams coach at Hawai’I (2003-05)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Four-year letterwinner as a defensive back at Hawai’I (1999-2002)
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:
2022 Frisco Bowl
2019 Las Vegas Bowl
2019 Rose Bowl
2017 Fiesta Bowl
2016 Peach Bowl
2015 Cactus Bowl
2013 Hawai’I Bowl
2012 Las Vegas Bowl
2011 Las Vegas Bowl
2010 Las Vegas Bowl
2010 Fiesta Bowl
2008 Poinsettia Bowl
2007 Hawai’I Bowl
2007 Fiesta Bowl
2002 Hawai’I Bowl (player)
1999 Oahu Bowl (player)
BRIAN LINDGREN – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Brian Lindgren, who has 15 years of experience as an offensive coordinator, will join Smith’s MSU staff as the Spartans’ offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.
“Brian has an established offensive identity as a play caller for the past 15 seasons,” said Smith. “He also has an impressive track record of finding and developing talent. He has mentored several quarterbacks who have experienced tremendous success at this level.”
Most recently, Lindgren was with Smith at Oregon State for the past six seasons (2018-23) and helped build the Beavers into one of the most consistent offensive teams in the Pac-12. Lindgren was a two-time nominee for the 2019 and 2021 Broyles Award, which honors college football’s top assistant coaches. He coached six NFL Draft picks and multiple All-Americans and first-team All-Pac-12 honorees during his Oregon State tenure.
In 2023, the Oregon State offense finished the regular season second in the Pac-12 in yards per carry (5.06), while ranking third in rushing TDs (26), fourth in rushing attempts per game (35.8) and fifth in rushing yards per game (180.8). Through the air, OSU was seventh in the Pac-12 in both passing yards per game (246.1) and passing TDs (25), while ranking fourth in fewest interceptions (7). OSU finished fifth in the Pac-12 in scoring offense (33.8 ppg), total offense (426.9 ypg) and total offense yards per play (6.56).
Additionally, the Beavers’ offensive line was recognized as one of 12 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top offensive line. OSU also earned the recognition in 2021.
In 2023, under Lindgren’s play calling, quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei threw a career-high 2,638 passing yards (219.8 ypg) in addition to his 21 touchdown passes. He also rushed for six touchdowns and 219 yards.
Sophomore running back Damien Martinez was named first-team All-Pac-12 for the second year in a row and was a Doak Walker semifinalist after ranking second in the Pac-12 and 20th in the FBS during the regular-season in rushing (98.8 ypg). He also ranked second in the conference in both rushing yards (1,185) and rushing attempts per game (16.2). Martinez was also fifth in yards per carry (6.11) and tied for sixth in rushing TDs (9). He scored six rushing TDs in a two-game span (vs. Stanford and vs. Washington), becoming the first Beaver to do that since Jacquizz Rodgers in 2010. Martinez finished the regular season with 1,185 rushing yards, ranking him at No. 13 in the Oregon State single-season record books. He also has 2,167 career rushing yards, putting him at No. 10 in the Oregon State career record books in just two seasons.
Six Beavers overall were named to either the first or second All-Pac-12 Team.
Three different Beaver running backs have earned first-team Pac-12 postseason honors in Lindgren’s offense (Martinez in 2022 and 2023; B.J. Baylor in 2021; Jermar Jefferson in 2020). Prior to Lindgren’s arrival in Corvallis in 2018, Oregon State hadn’t had a first-team all-conference running back since 2010.
Jefferson rushed for 1,380 yards in 2018, Baylor ran for 1,337 yards in 2021 and Martinez collected 982 yards in 2022. Additionally, Martinez was named Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American in 2022, as well as earning Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors three times during the season.
Jefferson finished his career fifth in OSU history with 2,923 rushing yards, 27 touchdowns and 15 100-yard rush efforts. He was also named the AP Pac-12 Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2020, as well as the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2018. In 2019, Jefferson and Artavis Pierce became the first Oregon State running back teammates to each reach 2,000-plus career yards rushing. After forgoing his senior season of 2021, Jefferson was selected in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, and is still currently on the Lions’ roster.
Lindgren also mentored successful quarterbacks at OSU, as Jake Luton and Chance Nolan both earned All-Pac-12 accolades. Nolan was second in the Pac-12 in pass efficiency in 2021 (148.29), while also leading the 2019 Beaver offense that led the nation for fewest turnovers committed (6) and in Red Zone TD rate (84.6 percent).
Luton was one of three players in the FBS with 25-plus touchdown passes (28) and three or fewer interceptions (3) during the 2019 season. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, and is presently with the Carolina Panthers.
In 2022, the Beavers’ offense lit up the scoreboards to the tune of 32.2 points per game, the best by an OSU offense since 2012 and fifth highest by a Beaver team since 1996. The 2021 OSU offense under Lindgren amassed 5,581 yards, the fourth-best at OSU in a 13-game season, after ringing up 4,941 yards of total offense in 2019, the third highest in OSU program history for a 12-game season, as the offense set a new school record by averaging 6.4 yards per play.
Prior to Oregon State, Lindgren was offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Colorado from 2013-17. He helped lead the Buffaloes to the 2016 Alamo Bowl, which was CU’s first bowl game in nine seasons. Lindgren also helped the Buffs to an 8-1 league mark and the Pac-12 South Division title.
In 2013, Lindgren was a finalist for the Quarterback Coach of the Year by FootballScoop.com.
Under Lindgren’s tutelage, Colorado quarterbacks Sefo Liufau and signal-caller Steven Montez combined to set numerous school records for the Buffs. Additionally, wide receiver Nelson Spruce set CU career marks for receptions (294), receiving yards (3,347) and touchdown catches (23).
Running back Phillip Lindsay became the Buffs’ all-time leader in all-purpose yards with 5,760 and yards from scrimmage 4,683 (5,926 and 4,849 including the 2016 Alamo Bowl, but CU does not include bowl stats in career numbers). Lindsay finished as the Buffs’ second all-time leading rusher with 3,707 yards and was the first player in CU history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and just the second to have two total.
Before Lindgren’s stint in Boulder, he was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at San José State in 2012, helping lead the Spartans to an 11-2 season, SJSU’s most wins in a season in over 70 years. San José State won the 2012 Military Bowl, earning SJSU’s first postseason game in six years. Under Lindgren, the Spartans broke 27 passing and receiving records. He mentored quarterback David Fales and tight end Ryan Otten to All-American honors. Fales threw for 4,193 passing yards and 33 TDs, against just nine interceptions to lead the FBS in completion percentage (.725), and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Prior to San José State, Lindgren began his coaching career at Northern Arizona, starting off as a graduate assistant working with the wide receivers in 2006, helping the Lumberjacks lead the FCS in scoring and total offense. The next season he earned his first full-time job as NAU’s running backs coach, mentoring the running back duo of Lionel Scott and Alex Henderson to first-team All-Big Sky Conference accolades. In 2008, Lindgren became the passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach, before becoming offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach from 2009-11. The 2009 Lumberjack offense ranked fifth in the FCS in total offense and passing offense.
Lindgren was a three-year letterwinner at quarterback at Idaho, passing for 6,541 career yards with 44 touchdowns as a three-year starter. He threw an Idaho school-record six touchdown passes in 48-38 win over San Diego State on Sept. 22, 2002. Lindgren was a three-time Sun Belt Conference Academic Team member, and was the recipient of the Kathy Clark Scholar-Athlete Award, presented to the top Idaho GPA for graduating seniors.
A native of Walla Walla, Washington, Lindgren earned his bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Idaho in 2004, and his master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona in 2007. Lindgren and his spouse, Bradee, have three children, Bronson, Brooks and Blake.
THE LINDGREN FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Oregon State (2018-2023)
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Colorado (2013-17)
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at San José State (2012)
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Northern Arizona (2009-11)
Passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Northern Arizona (2008)
Running back coach at Northern Arizona (2007)
Receivers graduate assistant coach at Northern Arizona (2006)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Three-year letterwinner as a quarterback at Idaho (2001-03).
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:
2022 Las Vegas Bowl
2021 Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl
2016 Alamo Bowl
2012 Military Bowl
JIM MICHALCZIK – Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line
Jim Michalczik, who has more than 30 years of coaching experience at both the collegiate and NFL levels, will join the MSU staff as the Spartans’ offensive line coach/run game coordinator.
“Jim Michalczik is one of the best offensive line coaches in the country,” said Smith. “I’ve known Jim since my playing days. He has consistently produced some of the most tough and physical offensive lines in the nation. He will develop players at an extremely high level – the results have proven that during his entire coaching career.”
By helping lead Oregon State to an 8-4 record in 2023 to become bowl eligible, Michalczik has coached 17 teams to a bowl game as a coach and was part of one bowl game during his college playing days.
Most recently, Michalczik was with Smith at Oregon State the past six seasons (2018-23). Michalczik was a nominee for the 2023 Broyles Award, which honors college football’s top assistant coaches.
The Oregon State offensive line was recognized as one of 12 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top offensive line. OSU also earned the recognition in 2021. The Beavers have maintained a spot near the top of the national rankings all season for run blocking according to PFF, and ended the regular season ranked No. 2, grading out at 81.6, just behind Air Force at 82.1.
Four Beaver offensive linemen earned All-Pac-12 recognition, led by first-team All-America and first-team All-Pac-12 right tackle Taliese Fuaga, who ranked No. 1 in the run block rankings (90.7) according to Pro Football Focus. In addition, Fuaga was named one of seven semifinalists for the Outland Trophy.
Center Jake Levengood (first team), left tackle Joshua Gray (second team) and right guard Tanner Miller (second team) were also named to the All-Pac-12 Team.
In 2023, the Michalczik-coached offensive line road-graded the way for first-team All-Pac-12 running back Damien Martinez, who ranked second in the Pac-12 and 20th in the FBS during the regular season in rushing (98.8 ypg), also ranking second in the conference in both rushing yards (1,185) and rushing attempts per game (16.17). Martinez was also fifth in yards per carry (6.11) and tied for sixth in rushing TDs (9). He scored six rushing TDs in a two-game span (vs. Stanford and vs. Washington), becoming the first Beaver to do that since Jacquizz Rodgers in 2010. Martinez finished the regular-season with 1,185 rushing yards, ranking him at No. 13 in the Oregon State single-season record books. He also has 2,167 career rushing yards, putting him at No. 10 in the Oregon State career record books.
The Oregon State offense was fifth in the Pac-12 in both scoring offense (33.8 ppg) and total offense (426.9 ypg), as well as ranking second in the Pac-12 in yards per carry (5.06), while ranking third in rushing TDs (26), fourth in rushing attempts per game (35.75) and fifth in rushing yards per game (180.8).
Michalczik’s linemen have earned All-Pac-12 honors 14 times since his return to Corvallis in 2018. Nathan Eldridge was a two-time first-team All-Pac 12 honoree (2020, 2021) and tackle Blake Brandel was an honorable mention All-American by PFF in 2019 before getting drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by Minnesota.
Under Michalczik’s guidance, OSU offensive lines have blocked for Pac-12 postseason honoree running backs Damien Martinez (2022, 2023), Jermar Jefferson (2020), B.J. Baylor (2021) and Ken Simonton (2000).
In 2019, the Michalczik-coached offensive line helped amass 4,941 yards in total offense, the third highest in OSU program history for a 12-game season, as the offense set a new school record by averaging 6.4 yards per play.
Before his time at Oregon State, Michalczik was at Arizona from 2013-17, where he coached five Wildcat teams to four bowl games, including the 2014 Fiesta Bowl. In 2017, Michalczik helped Arizona lead the Pac-12 for scoring offense, total offense and rushing offense, including ranking third in the nation with 309.3 rushing yards per game. Guard Jacob Alsadek and center Nathan Eldridge both earned Pac-12 postseason recognition in 2017, while Alsadek was selected as a USA Today Freshman All-American in 2014 and center Steven Gurrola was named to the Pac-12 Second Team list in 2014.
In 2016, Arizona led the Pac-12 with 235.0 rushing yards per game, highlighted by a school record 511 yards in a Territorial Cup victory over Arizona State. In that game, UA produced three 100-yard rushers for only the second time in program history.
Arizona amassed 222.3 yards per game on the ground, while throwing for 272.6 ypg through the air and averaged 37.4 points per game in 2015.
In 2014, Arizona’s offensive line blocked the way for a Wildcats’ offense that averaged 463.6 yards of offense per game and 34.5 points per contest. Running back Nick Wilson (1,375 yards) and quarterback Anu Solomon (3,793 yards) set school freshman records in their respective categories. Additionally, Solomon topped FBS freshmen in total passing yards.
Under Michalczik’s guidance, the Wildcats’ offensive line cleared the way for Ka’Deem Carey’s 1,885 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns in 2013. Additionally, quarterback B.J. Denker threw for 2,516 yards and 16 TDs. Arizona’s offense averaged 33.5 points per game, totaled 311 first downs and averaged 458.5 yards of offense per game.
Before Arizona, Michalczik was at another Pac-12 school, California, where he was for nine seasons over two stints from 2002-08 and again from 2011-12. During his first stint with the Golden Bears, Michalczik was the offensive line coach, while his second stint was serving as Cal’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. During his nine seasons at Cal, Michalczik was a part of eight winning seasons and seven bowl games with the Bears. The play of Cal’s offensive line under Michalczik’s direction from 2002-08 and again in 2011-12 was a key factor to the Bears posting a 69-45 (.605) record during the nine-year period.
During eight of Michalczik’s nine seasons, Cal’s rushing attack produced a 1,000-yard rusher. In 2004, J.J. Arrington set a single-season school record with 2,018 rushing yards and ranked second in the nation in rushing yards per game (168.2 ypg), with Michalczik’s offensive line clearing the way. Arrington finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy race that year. The Bears were ranked in the top 10 nationally in rushing offense in both 2004 (sixth with 256.75 ypg) and 2005 (ninth with 235.25 ypg), while leading the Pac-10 in both 2003 (168.29 ypg) and 2004.
NFL players Alex Mack, Mitchell Schwartz and Brian De La Puente are among the 13 former offensive linemen that played for Michalczik to be signed by NFL teams. Others that spent time on NFL rosters include Justin Cheadle, Mike Gibson, Aaron Merz, Ryan O’Callaghan, Marvin Philip, Erik Robertson, Brian Schwenke, Mike Tepper, Scott Tercero and Mark Wilson. Michalczik coached seven NFL Draft selections during his time at Cal, including Mack, a first-round center who earned seven Pro Bowl honors in his illustrious career.
Michalczik was with the Oakland Raiders from 2009-10, serving as the Raiders’ offensive line coach. He played a key role in the Oakland turnaround in 2010, as the Raiders went undefeated in the AFC West. The Oakland offense ranked second in the NFL in rushing (155.9 ypg), sixth in scoring (25.6 ppg) and 10th in total offense (354.6 ypg). Tackle Jared Veldheer was chosen to several all-rookie teams.
Prior to joining Cal in 2002, Michalczik spent three seasons at Oregon State coaching the tight ends, while also serving as the Beavers’ special teams coordinator and assistant coach on the offensive line. OSU posted its first winning season in 29 years during his first campaign in Corvallis in 1999, when Smith was still a quarterback for the Beavers, and he was on staff during Oregon State’s school-record 11-win season in 2000 that was capped with a win in the Fiesta Bowl and a No. 4 national ranking.
Michalczik was also the offensive line coach for seven seasons at Montana State from 1992-98 with head coach Cliff Hysell. Under Michalczik’s tutelage, center Tim Hanson earned first-team All-Big Sky Conference, while guard Cory Brye earned second-team All-Big Sky in 1993. The following season, tackle Jason Westbrock garnered second-team All-Big Sky honors. In 1995, Westbrock collected first-team All-Big Sky recognition, while guard J.C. Murray collected second-team honors.
The Michalczik-led offensive line cleared the way for three 1,000-yard rushers at Montana State, with Matt Engelking for 1,188 yards in 1996 and 1,176 yards in 1995 and Fred Moore with 1,005 yards in 1993. Engelking, a two-time first-team All-Big Sky Conference honoree, still currently ranks No. 8 on the Bobcats’ career rushing list with 2,464 career rushing yards. Engelking is also still tied for No. 4 on Montana State’s career 100-yard rushing games with 15 during his career, as well as holding the No. 5 and 6 spots on the Bobcats’ single-season rushing attempts list with 260 and 258, respectively.
Michalczik started his coaching career with two campaigns (1990-91) as the defensive line coach at Miami (Fla.) under Dennis Erickson. The Hurricanes won the 1991 national title after posting an unbeaten 12-0 season. In 1990, Miami was ranked No. 3 nationally and finished with a 10-2 record. Under Michalczik’s guidance, Russell Maryland was the 1990 Outland Trophy winner and the No. 1 overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, and he went on to win three Super Bowls with the Cowboys.
At Washington State, Michalczik was a three-year letterwinner on the Cougars’ offensive line, helping Wazzu to the 1988 Aloha Bowl. Along with the three letters, Michalczik earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 and honorable mention All-America accolades from The Sporting News in his senior season.
A native of Port Angeles, Washington, Michalczik earned his bachelor’s degree in social science and education from Washington State in 1988. Michalczik and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons, Max and Chase.
THE MICHALCZIK FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Run game coordinator/offensive line/associate head coach at Oregon State (2018-2023)
Offensive line coach at Arizona (2013-17)
Offensive line coach at California (2002-08 and 2011-12)
Offensive line coach with the Oakland Raiders (2009-10)
Offensive line/tight ends/special teams coach at Oregon State (1999-2001)
Offensive line coach at Montana State (1992-98)
Defensive line coach at Miami (Fla.) (1990-91)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Three-year letterwinner as an offensive guard at Washington State (1984-88).
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:
2022 Las Vegas Bowl
2021 Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl
2017 Foster Farms Bowl
2015 New Mexico Bowl
2014 Fiesta Bowl
2013 AdvoCare V100 Bowl
2011 Holiday Bowl
2008 Emerald Bowl
2007 Armed Forces Bowl
2006 Holiday Bowl
2005 Las Vegas Bowl
2004 Holiday Bowl
2003 Insight Bowl
2000 Fiesta Bowl
1999 Oahu Bowl
1992 Orange Bowl
1991 Cotton Bowl
1988 Aloha Bowl, Washington State (player)
LEGI SUIAUNOA – Defensive Line
A collegiate coaching veteran of more than 20 years, Lawrence “Legi” Suiaunoa (Leng-ee SOO-ee-ow-noah) will join the MSU staff as the Spartans’ defensive line coach.
Suiaunoa spent the past six seasons (2018-23) on Smith’s staff at Oregon State, and he also coached with Smith at Montana in 2011.
“Legi helped develop one of the best defensive lines in Pac-12,” said Smith. “His players are physical at the point of attack and create pressure on the quarterback while stopping the run. I have tremendous respect for Coach Suiaunoa not only as a coach, but as a great person who will help mentor our players on and off the field.”
After helping Oregon State to an 8-4 record in 2023 to become bowl eligible, Suiaunoa has now guided eight teams to postseason action, including four bowl games and four playoff seasons.
During the 2023 season, Suiaunoa’s defensive line helped the Beavers rank second in the Pac-12 and ninth in the FBS in sacks with 36 (3.0 sacks/game), tied for second in fumbles forced with 13 (1.08 per game), and third in tackles for loss with 72 TFL (6.0 TFL/game). The OSU defense was also fourth in the conference in rushing defense (104.1 ypg), fourth in opponent third-down conversions (37.5 percent).