Michigan State football staff 'relieved of duties' amid coaching search

Michigan State could be zeroing in on its next head football coach. According to MSU insider Chris Solari, Spartans leadership has relieved the current football staff of its duties, likely meaning a new hire is on the way.

Solari tweeted his report Saturday afternoon, one day after Michigan State ended its season with a loss to Penn State. Here that was:

“Multiple sources confirm MSU football’s current coaching staff has been relieved of its duties by athletic director Alan Haller. Sounds like more info could be coming later today regarding the search for a new head coach.”

Multiple college football sources have indicated that Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith is currently Michigan State’s top target.

Michigan State ‘at the 5-yard line’ with Jonathan Smith

Saturday morning, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg confirmed that the Spartans are very close to sealing the deal with Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith.

Here was that report from Rittenberg, which he tweeted out:

“Michigan State and Jonathan Smith are at ‘the 5-yard line,’ a source said, but still some meetings later today before anything is finalized with the Oregon State coach.”

Smith and Oregon State just finished their regular season up on Friday night with the Beavers falling on the road vs. rival Oregon to round out a very successful 8-4 regular season in the difficult Pac-12. Meanwhile, Michigan State also wrapped up their regular season Friday, losing to Penn State at home, 42-0.

Bruce Feldman adds to Smith speculation

Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman also thinks the Spartans may have found a likely candidate out west.

He 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.”