Jonathan Smith Reportedly Fired by Michigan State, What's HC's Contract Buyout?

After two seasons with head coach Jonathan Smith at the helm, Michigan State is going in a new direction.

According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, the Spartans plan to fire Smith on Sunday. He's reportedly set to receive a $33 million contract buyout.

Smith was hired as Michigan State's head coach in November 2023 following the termination of Mel Tucker. The Spartans started each of the last two seasons with a 3-0 record before quickly faltering.

Michigan State finished its first year under Smith with a 5-7 record. The 2025 season wasn't any better, as the Spartans ended the year at 4-8, including a 1-8 record in Big Ten play. The team had lost eight straight games before winning Saturday's regular-season finale against Maryland 38-28. The win helped Smith avoid becoming the first Michigan State coach to go winless in conference play since Duffy Daugherty's 1958 team that went 0-5-1, per ESPN.

"Really happy and proud of that locker room," Smith said after the game. "Been through a lot, (it has been a) long season. Some downs, some disappointment, definitely frustration, but really proud of them as they continued to battle, went to work, played and practiced with energy. So happy for them to come out with a win like they like they did."

Now, it will be up to someone else to lead the program. Michigan State hasn't finished a season with a winning record since 2021, so the next person to take over will have a lot of work to do.