Bruce Feldman says Michigan State is 'focused' on Jonathan Smith from Oregon State

Michigan State is in the market for a new head football coach, and according to Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman, they may have found a likely candidate out west.

Feldman joined Big Noon Kickoff Saturday morning ahead of Week 13’s Rivalry Week slate, where he further fanned the flames of rumors that Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith could be the next head honcho in East Lansing. When asked about Michigan State’s efforts in the coaching carousel, Feldman immediately noted their focus on Smith.

Here was that report:

“Well, after months of a coaching search, they have focused their attention on Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith. Now, he has done a really amazing job breathing life back into his alma mater’s program for the last few years. He also knows that it’s a very tricky time as you’ve got the uncertainty with the Beavers in life after the Pac-12. So I don’t think it’s any slam dunk he makes this decision right now, but he is the one that they really want and we’ll see where it goes this weekend.”

Per Feldman, MSU is looking hard at Smith and could very well send him the job offer soon. He’s not certain that Smith would accept the job given that he’s a Beaver at heart and has long called Corvalis home. However, with the likely pay bump and the upgrade to the Big Ten when Oregon State is in conference free fall, it’ll be hard for Jonathan Smith to say no.

Oregon State AD speaks on Jonatan Smith rumors

By Griffin McVeigh

With the great job Jonathan Smith has done at Oregon State, his name is being linked to other jobs. Despite being an alumnus of the school, the Beavers’ future is in limbo due to not being affiliated with a conference moving forward. At the very least, Smith’s agent is out there presenting him with opportunities.

On Wednesday, Oregon State AD Scott Barnes released a statement regarding Smith potentially leaving, saying the current focus is giving the head coach a new contract. Barnes wants to show there is a commitment to the entire athletic department in Corvallis, not just the football program.

“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,” Barnes said. “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 Veavers’ 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.”

Michigan State is one of the big-time jobs out there, with Football Scoop recently reporting Smith is their top candidate. Making a move to the Big Ten would be unfamiliar territory for Smith, who spent his entire coaching career in the Pacific Northwest.