We are just a couple of days into the Jonathan Smith era of Michigan State football and things are working quickly for the new head coach to get his staff into place.
Right away, he brought his offensive line coach Jim Michalczik with him after he was a Broyles Award finalist a couple of years ago and he also brought tight ends coach Brian Wozniak who has developed NFL tight ends and currently had a sophomore with eight touchdown receptions.
Those aren’t the only two guys from Corvallis following Smith to East Lansing.
Over the weekend, it was announced that Keith Bhonapha would be joining him as the running backs coach after having five players at that position drafted since he’s had that position at the college level — dating back to his days at Washington. Damien Martinez was also one of the best running backs in college football this year.
Joining them is Blue Adams as the defensive backs coach. He was the Dolphins defensive backs coach for a few years in the NFL and he’s been at Oregon State with Smith. This hire was met with plenty of optimism and even a local high school coach raved about it.
Detroit King head coach ⬇️ https://t.co/FKw7H8bFiz
— Stephen Brooks (@StephenM_Brooks) November 27, 2023
Not too shabby.
Who else could join the Michigan State football staff?
Smith is also bringing his offensive coordinator, Brian Lindgren, to East Lansing as well. He’s been with Smith since 2018 and he even turned down an offer from Herm Edwards to be his offensive coordinator at Arizona State in 2019.
The jury’s still out on Lindgren, but he had some impressive offenses in Corvallis.
Strength and conditioning coach Mike McDonald also looks to be joining Smith as well as Oregon State chief of staff Dan Van De Riet.
Not a bad start to the staff.