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Michigan State football: Worst head coach hires in program history

By Josh Yourish

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker watches a play against Central Michigan from the sideline during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker watches a play against Central Michigan from the sideline during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. /
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Nov 18, 2006; State College , PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach John L. Smith is seen on the sidelines in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in State College, PA. Penn State won the game, 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Jason Bridge
Nov 18, 2006; State College , PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach John L. Smith is seen on the sidelines in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in State College, PA. Penn State won the game, 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Jason Bridge /

John L. Smith (2003-06)

After promoting Bobby Williams from within to replace Nick Saban, Michigan State went with an outside hire, John L. Smith from Louisville. That plan didn’t work either.

Smith had success at Louisville and Idaho before that, but he wasn’t built to step into the Big Ten. Smith actually had early success, going 8-5 in his first year, but in 2004 the Spartans went 5-7, followed by a 5-6 2005 and a 4-8 2006.

After getting fired by Michigan State with a 22-26 record, he did not get another head coaching gig until 2012 with Arkansas for one season.

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