If there’s one thing Tom Izzo will always do no matter what, it’s show support for his fellow head coaches, no matter the sport. Jonathan Smith is no exception.
After what can only be described as a disastrous past few weeks of Michigan State football, fans have turned on Smith and it looks like he may soon be out of a job. The word on the street is that Michigan State is going to move on from Smith, especially if he can’t turn things around in a hurry.
Izzo knows all too well what it’s like being the subject in the middle of all these coaching rumors, and he even shared the story of how he felt like he was going to be fired after losing to Detroit and Central Michigan back in 1995. He said that his wife even put a ‘for sale’ sign on the lawn.
He went on to say that no coach can truly turn things around without the support of the fanbase, and he urged Spartan fans to back Smith up despite the tumultuous season.
At the end of his opening statement at today's media day, Tom Izzo - drawing on his own history - offers his support for Jonathan Smith. pic.twitter.com/BWpojAd0HE
— Spartans Illustrated (@Spartans_Illo) October 16, 2025
If you’re a head coach in danger of being fired, you can pretty much guarantee that Tom Izzo is going to have your back. He’s going to bat for you no matter what — within reason.
By all accounts, Smith is a good guy and a good coach who took over a situation that he may not have been fully ready for. He never seemed to have donor support and, fair or not, it’s led to him struggling to find his way in year two of his tenure. He has a proven track record as a coach, so he’s going to land on his feet no matter what, but Izzo’s right about coaches not being able to succeed without support.
I just don’t see things turning around in East Lansing under Smith this year, but he has a couple of chances to really prove people wrong over the next two weeks.
And Izzo will be in his corner.