EAST LANSING (WWJ) – “Low ego, high output.” That’s the vision new Michigan State football coach Jonathan Smith has for his new program.
Following his introductory press conference Tuesday, Smith, 44, officially gets to work on rebuilding the Spartans program after MSU went 4-8 in a tumultuous season overshadowed by the firing of Mel Tucker in the midst of scandal.
Smith says that task will “take some work” — but what he’s trying to accomplish goes far beyond the field, as he tries to build “a program of substance on and off the field.”
“A program where we’re gonna dive into lives and beyond just being able to teach them how to be in the deep third in coverage or run a 15-yard in route. We want to be a place of substance on and off the field,” Smith said.
Smith comes to East Lansing after six seasons as the head coach at Oregon State, where he went 34-35. The Beavers posted winning seasons in each of the last three years, including their first 10-win season in over a decade last fall.
He signed a seven-year contract with MSU, reportedly starting at $7.25 million per year.
He said during Tuesday’s press conference at the Breslin Center he’s been impressed with what he’s seen over his first 48 hours on campus.
“Been here 48 hours and continue to be so impressed with all I’ve seen on campus,” he said Tuesday. “I want to thank the people of this community in regards to reaching out and making a warm welcome for not only me, but for my family.”
On Tuesday night he’ll attend the Spartans’ basketball game before the work truly begins.
“I’m looking forward to diving into these players and getting into that meeting room and setting plans and really getting started,” Smith said. “Because it’s gonna take some work. I think a lot of us in this room understand, this is gonna take some work. And I am definitely excited and up for the challenge and opportunity that’s in front of us.”
Athletic Director Alan Haller said the hiring of Smith wasn’t an easy process, given the circumstances surrounding the program, but he leaned on basketball coach Tom Izzo and former head football coach Mark Dantonio.
“Coach Dantonio was a great sounding board through this process. He did his own research and came back with similar information. And Jonathan also spoke with coach Izzo. And they had dinner Sunday and I sat next to them and listened with a smile on my face, knowing we got the right guy,” Haller said.
Izzo said with no ties to the Midwest, he's going to have to teach Smith about the intensity of the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry.
“It’s the Hatfields and the McCoys. You can respect your opponent, but you don’t have to like them. And I’ve stated that since I’ve been here. Not gonna change, never will change. But I do have great respect for what they bring to the table,” Izzo said.
Smith had a 2-4 record in “The Civil War,” the Beavers’ in-state rivalry with Oregon.
"I thought the fit was good as well, because let's face it -- there's an in-state rivalry, and I appreciate in-state rivalries," Smith said.