jonathan smith – Syndication Server

Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith gets season grade from USA TODAY

What did USA TODAY think of Jonathan Smith’s first year with the Spartans?

The season is over, and Michigan State football missed a bowl game for their third straight year, making the Spartans the only team in the Big Ten to not play in at least one bowl game over that span.

However, there were some signs of life, and new energy brought into the program with the hiring of Jonathan Smith. Smith had the difficult task of rebuilding a program that just suffered an embarrassing scandal.

Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY just put out his report card for every head coach in college football, and he gave Jonathan Smith a C-minus for his performance this year.

Here is what he had to say:

Michigan State had a very nice win against Iowa in October. But the remaining four wins were Florida Atlantic, Maryland, Prairie View and Purdue. Smith’s grade is docked for the Spartans’ 41-14 loss at home to Rutgers in the season finale to fall one win short of the postseason.

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Watch Jonathan Smith talk MSU Football’s 2025 recruiting class on National Signing Day

Michigan State wrapped up the 2025 recruiting cycle on Wednesday with 16 prospects signing to become future Spartans

Michigan State wrapped up the 2025 recruiting cycle on Wednesday with 16 prospects signing to become future Spartans.

National Signing Day took place on Wednesday, with Michigan State locking in 16 prospects to be part of the 2025 class. All but one verbal committed signed with the Spartans on Wednesday. The lone recruit to not sign was three-star athlete Bryson Williams.

As of Wednesday night, Michigan State’s class ranked No. 57 nationally and No. 16 out of 18 teams in the Big Ten, according to 247Sports. However, the lower number of commits played a big role in the lower-ranked class for the Spartans.

So what did head coach Jonathan Smith have to say about his 2025 class? Hear Smith break down the class in the video below.

This video is courtesy of SpartanMag

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Best photos from Jonathan Smith’s NSD press conference

Best photos from Jonathan Smith’s National Signing Day press conference

Michigan State football welcomed in 16 new Spartans to the program via the 2025 recruiting class on National Signing Day. Following the festivities, Jonathan Smith spoke to the media, talking about the new wave of recruits and what it was like to have a full year to recruit in East Lansing.

Check out the best pictures from the press conference:

Watch MSU head coach Jonathan Smith recap season-ending loss vs. Rutgers

Hear what Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith had to say about the Spartans’ performance against Rutgers

Michigan State football’s season is officially over.

The Spartans put out one final disappointing performance to end the 2024 regular season with a blowout loss against Rutgers. Michigan State lost the game by the final score of 41-14.

Michigan State came into this game needing a win over the Scarlet Knights to reach bowl eligibility. With the loss, Michigan State will extend its bowl drought to three years, which is now the longest active streak in the Big Ten.

Michigan State finishes the season with a 5-7 overall record and 3-6 mark in Big Ten play.

Hear what head coach Jonathan Smith had to say about the Spartans’ performance against Rutgers in the video below:

This video is courtesy of SpartanMag

Jonathan Smith says Michigan State didn’t play well enough to earn bowl game

Jonathan Smith says Michigan State didn’t play well enough to earn a bowl game

Michigan State football’s season ended in disappointing fashion on Saturday with a lopsided loss to Rutgers at home in a snowy Spartan Stadium. The Spartans will now end their season with a losing record and without an invite to a bowl game.

While this was always a possible result under new head coach Jonathan Smith, who has been tasked with turning a program around quickly, but it was still a disappointing and frustrating year for MSU football.

After the loss to Rutgers, Jonathan Smith spoke to the media, where he started by saying the team did not play well enough to earn a bowl game invite. Smith thanked his seniors, who he said earned his respect for their willingness to try to adapt to his methodology and system, and he also acknowledged that the team needs to get better this offseason, and that starts with him.

You can watch the full video below:

Jonathan Smith: "It's gonna take some work." pic.twitter.com/3nr6STeGWK

— David Harns (@DavidHarns) December 1, 2024

MSU head coach Jonathan Smith talks injuries, previews matchup vs. Rutgers

Watch Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith preview this week’s matchup against Rutgers

Michigan State football wraps up the regular season this week with a lot on the line for the Spartans.

Michigan State will host Rutgers on Saturday afternoon in a must-win situation for the Spartans to reach bowl eligibility. Michigan State beat Purdue this past weekend to snap a three-game losing streak and improve its record to 5-6 overall and 3-5 in Big Ten play. With a win over Rutgers, Michigan State will be bowl-eligible for the first time in three years.

Rutgers comes into this matchup looking to bolster their bowl stock. The Scarlet Knights are 6-5 overall and 3-5 in Big Ten play this year.

Hear what Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith had to say about the Spartans’ upcoming matchup against Rutgers this week.

This video is courtesy of SpartanMag

Watch MSU head coach Jonathan Smith recap Spartans’ victory over Purdue

Watch MSU head coach Jonathan Smith recap the Spartans’ victory over Purdue on Friday night

Michigan State football held on by the skin of their teeth in a must-win situation against Purdue on Friday night.

The Spartans dominated the Boilermakers in the first half, but needed some key defensive plays late to hold on to the 24-17 victory. Michigan State led 24-3 at halftime, but failed to score again in the second half.

With the win, Michigan State improves to 5-6 overall and 3-5 in Big Ten play. The win over the Boilermakers keeps Michigan State alive for the postseason, needing a win over Rutgers next week to clinch a bowl berth.

Hear what head coach Jonathan Smith had to say about the Spartans’ performance in Friday night’s victory over Purdue.

This video is courtesy of SpartanMag

Former Spartan calls out Detroit sports radio host

A former Spartan called out a Detroit sports radio host on X

Mike Valenti is one of the most notable sports figures in the city of Detroit. The mid-day host of 97.1 The Ticket’s flagship show, and an MSU alum, Valenti is known to give very hotly contested takes.

Recently, Valenti has been bashing MSU head football coach Jonathan Smith, noting that the program is lifeless and this is not the coach from Oregon State. Valenti said that he hopes Spartan Stadium is empty on Friday and Alan Haller is sitting there alone.

Responding to this comment was former MSU QB Brian Lewerke, bashing Valenti and calling it, “This could legitimately be the worst take I’ve seen in my 10 years on this app [X].”

While there is some juice lacking in this program, many around the program continue to maintain that Smith has a ton of fire behind the scenes.

MSU head coach Jonathan Smith previews upcoming game vs. Purdue

Watch MSU head coach Jonathan Smith preview this week’s matchup against Purdue

Michigan State football is in must-win territory if they want to avoid reaching the postseason for a third straight season.

The Spartans return home this week in a Friday night matchup against Purdue. Michigan State comes into this game on a three-game losing streak and in need of wins in each of its last two games to reach bowl eligibility. The Spartans are 4-6 overall and 2-5 in Big Ten play.

Purdue is having an even rougher go this year, with the Boilermakers sitting at 1-9 overall and 0-7 in Big Ten play. Purdue hasn’t won since the season opener against FCS foe Indiana State.

In preparation for this week’s matchup with the Boilermakers, Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith met with the local media to preview this game. Hear what he had to say in the video below.

This video is courtesy of SpartanMag

Now or never, MSU football has to step up to end 2024

MSU still has one imperative goal within reach in 2024, and the team needs to step up and make it happen

It is at the point of the season to have a tough conversation. Bowl eligibility is on the brink of collapsing for Michigan State football, which will be detrimental to Jonathan Smith’s build in East Lansing.

While making a bowl in today’s college football doesn’t feel like a big deal, for what Smith is selling, it is imperative for the Spartans in 2024.

For Smith, and selling his program to recruits in high school and the transfer portal, a bowl game appearance will favor the Spartans far more than a 5-7 or 4-8 campaign in year one.

The bright side for MSU, they get to play at home against Purdue and Rutgers, two beatable teams. While MSU has to get healthy, Smith has to get his team ready to reach the biggest goal of the 2024 fall.

It’s now or never, and it starts on Friday against Purdue.