Jonathan Smith reveals his top priority at Michigan State

New Michigan State Spartans head coach Jonathan Smith is ready to hit the ground running as he gets ready for his first offseason.

Among the immediate challenges that Smith is facing are the transfer portal and high school recruiting. Still, the top priority is getting to know the current roster.

“I’m excited to deeply dive in and connect with these players,” Jonathan Smith said. “Priority number one, through conversations with Alan [Haller], he knows this, is about the current roster right here. The current roster and then we’re going to take the opportunity tomorrow to dive into these lives, learn about them, learn their stories, why they chose Michigan State. I cannot wait to start on that.”

Ultimately, Smith knows how much recruiting matters. However, he doesn’t believe he can do that properly without knowing the current roster.

“Not to sugarcoat, recruiting is vitally important,” Smith said. “We’re going to put the staff together and dive into that as well, but you go out and recruit, you’ve got to know what you’re currently working with and retaining that roster will be vitally important.”

Another key task for Jonathan Smith is going to be putting together his staff. When doing that, he’s going to focus on bringing in good coaches who he trusts, as well as finding assistants who can help him recruit in the Midwest.

“It’s not an elephant in the room, I have a lack of and I don’t have a lot of deep ties to the Midwest, I cannot wait to get engaged and dial into the high school coaches in Michigan. At the same time, a staff reflecting some background there will be an intention on this staff. There were some good coaches that are currently here, a few of those guys I will be talking to,” Smith said.

“We will take some time to put this together because you got to get these things right and have the right mix and fit, some continuity that has been around and can speak the language from the get-go. Midwest ties will be an attention and the exploring some of the coaches here.”

Tom Izzo gives initial impressions of Jonathan Smith hire at Michigan State

After Jonathan Smith was hired, legendary Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo shared his initial impressions of Jonathan Smith.

“And Jonathan Smith, that was a decision that Alan made that I think’s going to be a very good decision. I have been impressed, did not know him that well, talked to him one time. I have been impressed and very impressed last night getting the chance to sit down face to face for an hour and a half. I just think he brings maybe who we are. He’s kind of a blue collar attitude, too,” Izzo said.

“And has developed players and has kind of been the program that nobody respected as much with Oregon right down the road and figured out a way and how to handle that and deal with it. So his personality and everything, it’s great.”