Report: Oregon State's Jonathan Smith Emerges as Top Candidate for Michigan State Job

One agricultural powerhouse may be turning to the boss of another.

After helping revitalize Oregon State, Beavers coach Jonathan Smith is reportedly on the verge of taking over another Power Five program.

Smith is the top candidate to become Michigan State's next head coach, according to a Friday evening report from Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports and The Athletic.

Per Auerbach, the search for the Spartans’s next coach “is in its final stages and should be done by the end of this weekend.”

Smith, 44, is 34-34 in six years with Oregon State. He was the Pac-12’s Coach of the Year after leading the Beavers to a 10-3 record in 2022 and is 8-3 this year as his team has navigated the tumultuous de facto dissolution of its conference.

As I just reported on @NBCSports, Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith has emerged as the top target for the Michigan State vacancy, multiple sources say.

Nothing is finalized yet, but the search is in its final stages and should be done by the end of this weekend.

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 25, 2023

Smith is also an Oregon State alum, having quarterbacked the team to its highest-ever AP ranking (4) in 2000.

On Tuesday, Smith strongly implied to Oregon media personality John Canzano that his agent was gauging interest around the country.

This part of Jonathan Smith’s comments was so good. Very transparent with me. pic.twitter.com/tdNRziAftp

— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) November 22, 2023

Michigan State is 4-7 this season after dismissing coach Mel Tucker on Sept. 27 following allegations of sexual harassment.