Oregon State AD Scott Barnes releases statement amid job speculation involving Jonathan Smith

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.

Barnes and Oregon State want to make sure Smith is not tempted to leave. However, Smith did recently admit his agent is out there, checking in there on other jobs.

“I’m not trying to be sarcastic here,” Smith said. “I’ve got an agent that’s got a job. He best be finding out what is out there and people calling. That’s how that works. I can tell you from his side he best be working just because I’m paying him so much. They get a percentage and I’m making him a couple million bucks.

“I’m not trying to be sarcastic. Any coach, they’re aware of what’s potentially out there if their agent is doing their job. I’m not trying to dodge the question. I’m trying to be truthful.”

Jonathan Smith is in the midst of his sixth season with Oregon State, sporting a .500 record at 34-34 heading into Friday’s Civil War against Oregon. He has the Beavers bowl eligible for the third consecutive season, something the program had not accomplished since 2009 under Mike Riley.