Disaster struck Michigan State yet again on Saturday evening as the Spartans saw a 10-point fourth-quarter lead melt away at Iowa, losing in inexplicable fashion against the Hawkeyes, 20-17.
All Michigan State had to do was not completely fold in the fourth quarter against the 6-4 Hawkeyes, but Jonathan Smith did what he has been known to do in East Lansing: choke.
The Spartans have been in several games this season that they probably could have won with better coaching like Nebraska, Michigan, and Minnesota, and it feels like the Iowa loss was the fourth avoidable one (at least) this year. That’s unacceptable for a head coach making as much money as Smith, especially when he’s already on the hot seat and knows his job is on the line.
Instead, Michigan State is 3-8 on the season, and they’re going to be bowl-less for a fourth straight season which is the longest streak without a postseason berth since 1983. Yes, even during the John L. Smith years, Michigan State was making bowl games. Going this long without one is embarrassing for a Top 25 all-time program, and it feels like J Batt needs to make a change.
Almost everyone is in agreement that Michigan State should part ways with Smith and pay him his massive buyout to not coach in East Lansing anymore, but not the players.
In fact, Jordan Hall spoke out after the loss to Iowa, saying that he’s “appalled” at the hate that Smith has been getting from the fanbase.
Jordan Hall on Smith during the losing streak: “The hate that Coach Smith has been getting has appalled me. Coach is always level headed and he hasn’t changed throughout the season. We all want to win.”
— Matthew Eichstaedt (@ikerss98) November 23, 2025
Hall has every right to defend his coach, and he obviously sees more than the fans see, but this has to put a pit in everyone’s stomachs. On one hand, Michigan State could cut Smith loose and start fresh and really put money into the program like it deserves. And on another, the players seem to have his back and want him to be retained, so they could rally around him next year if he gets more support.
It’s really a tough choice, and people are going to be unhappy either way. It’s almost a lose-lose situation for Batt. But he gets paid the big bucks to make these decisions.
The players seem to be backing their coach, though.