Michigan State football knew it had to add a new staff member with Demetrice Martin's departure. It took some time, but head coach Jonathan Smith has found a great addition.
Sure, it might have been smart to find someone else to work with the defensive backs, but the confidence appears to be with Blue Adams who will handle the secondary along with new safeties coach James Adams.
The move in this case was to go get a new quarterback coach to work closely with Aidan Chiles. Luckily it is a familiar face for Chiles and Smith as the Spartans have hired Jon Boyer away from Oregon State.
Sources: Oregon State TE coach Jon Boyer has accepted a job as Michigan State’s quarterbacks coach. Boyer spent six seasons as the offensive coordinator at Northern Colorado prior to his six seasons on the staff at Oregon State. pic.twitter.com/aL8Rwpio4M
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 3, 2025
Boyer becomes the seventh coach to arrive in East Lansing from Corvallis in the last two years. He moved to work with the tight ends in 2024 at Oregon State, but making the jump to East Lansing gives him the opportunity to be back working with the quarterbacks.
It also gives offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren more opportunity to focus on the play-calling.
Boyer comes from a great pedigree, having played quarterback at Northern Colorado at the FCS level from 2000-2001. He remained with the program from 2002-2005, before becoming quarterbacks coach for the team during the 2004-2005 season.
That eventually led him to an offensive coordinator position with Colorado Mesa from 2007-2010, before returning to his alma mater in the same role as his alma mater from 2012 to 2017 before Smith hired him as a quality control coach with the Beavers.
The news of his hiring was made official according to Chris Solari from the Detroit Free Press.
Sure, it doesn't seem like he pops out, but Boyer has worked with Chiles before at Oregon State along with DJ Uiagalelei. He also helped mentor former Beavers quarterback Jake Luton to a 28-touchdown season in 2019 with only three picks.
That sounds exactly like the help Chiles needs after throwing 11 interceptions in 2024. All in all, this looks like a great move by Smith.