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Michigan State football: 5 realistic outside head coaching candidates if Mel Tucker is fired

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 9, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko looks on before the game against the Lafayette Leopards at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko looks on before the game against the Lafayette Leopards at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 9, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers head coach Jonathan Smith looks onto the field during the first half against the UC Davis Aggies at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers head coach Jonathan Smith looks onto the field during the first half against the UC Davis Aggies at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Jonathan Smith is one of the hottest names on the coaching market right now, but he actually may not even be on the market. He may already have his dream job.

The former Oregon State quarterback became the head coach at his alma mater 17 years after graduating and he’s had plenty of success in a short period of time. As you may know, Oregon State was one of the worst teams in the Power Five for years before he showed up and he’s compiled a 28-31 record over five-plus years.

That may not seem impressive, but Oregon State was a joke when he took over and the Beavers went just 2-10 in his first year before improving to five wins in 2019, seven wins in 2021, and his team won 10 games in 2022. And they’re off to a hot start in 2023 with a legit Pac-12 title-contending roster.

The only question mark would be his ability to recruit at a program like Michigan State in the Big Ten against Michigan, Penn State, and Ohio State, but he sure can coach and develop.

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