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Michigan State's Rumored Top Target Does Not Deny Interest in Spartans' Job

A report has surfaced that Michigan State has zeroed in on a top target for its head football coach position, and that candidate has not denied interest in other job opportunities...

Matthew Lounsberry

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During Michigan State's on-going search for its next head football coach, several rumored or confirmed candidates for the position have denied interest in taking the job.

Those potential candidates included Kansas State's Chris Klieman, Washington State's Jake Dickert and Kansas' Lance Leipold.

On Tuesday, however, one head coach who is believed to be a leading candidate for Michigan State's job did not deny interest in outside jobs during a radio interview with Fox Sports' John Canzano — Oregon State's Jonathan Smith. According to a report from FootballScoop.com, Smith is the top target for MSU athletic director Alan Haller.

“Barring something unforeseen, he is the target,” a source told FootballScoop in it's report, with another source adding, “Jonathan Smith is the focus. They’ve talked to a lot of guys, but he is who they want.”

In addition to the Michigan State vacancy, Smith has been rumored as a potential candidate for Texas A&M and UCLA, if in fact the Bruins intend to fire Chip Kelly, as has been reported). Smith was asked directly by Canzano if he's been in contact with any other schools about their vacancies.

“I’m not trying to be sarcastic here. I’ve got an agent that’s got a job," Smith replied. "He best be finding out what is out there and people calling. That’s how that works. I can tell you from his side he best be working just because I’m paying him so much. They get a percentage and I’m making a couple million bucks. I’m not trying to be sarcastic. Any coach, they’re aware of what’s potentially out there if their agent is doing their job. I’m not trying to dodge the question. I’m trying to be truthful.”

To his credit, Smith's answer is more upfront than most head coaches will be when asked about other job opportunities. Oregon State suffered a heart-breaking loss to No. 4 Washington this past Saturday, but the Beavers are still in the midst of a very good season. Smith has led his alma mater to an 8-3 record and No. 16 ranking by the College Football Playoff committee, with a rivalry showdown against No. 6 Oregon coming this weekend. A year ago, Smith led Oregon State to a 10-3 record and a No. 17 final ranking by the Associated Press.

Due to his success in Corvalis over the last two seasons, and the fact that Oregon State and Washington State were left adrift by the collapse of the Pac-12 Conference, fans of the Beavers are left worried that Smith will head for greener pastures following the 2023 season. What is his response to those fans' concerns?

“They can be confident I’m completely focused on the task at hand," Smith told Canzano. "(They can be) confident that we’re battling, week in and week out and that has not changed. There has not been some distraction on that. I think it’s known what this place means and what I’ve done and been around here and I think that speaks for itself.”

How committed is Smith to a future at Oregon State?

“I will say that I grow more and more confident every time I talk to (athletic director) Scott (Barnes) in regards to the plan to operate and fund at the Power 5 level, scheduling and trying to create a schedule that works," Smith said. "It’s not an easy task. You know the situation that us and Washington State are in, but my confidence grows listening to Scott more and more on the plan to fund it at that level and how we’re going to get it done… my confidence grows on that end.”

A segment of Smith's conversation with Canzano can be viewed below:

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Matthew Lounsberry
MATTHEW LOUNSBERRY

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