Michigan State football has never been a program of bad football. From its history of powerhouse defenses in the early 2010s under Dantonio to its seasons inside the top 25, MSU has always prided itself on fast and physical football. But in recent years, that ambition has felt increasingly out of sync with the product on the field. The frustration isn’t just about wins and losses, though those matter. It’s about a trajectory that feels off, a culture that lacks spark, and a fan base that deserves a program moving forward, not sideways. And that’s exactly why Michigan State needs to begin searching for a new head football coach.
A head coach’s job isn’t simply to call plays and cheer on the team on Saturday; it’s to establish direction, recruit with purpose, and create a culture that players buy into, and Smith isn’t cutting it. Too often, MSU enters games looking terrible, undisciplined, or overmatched. The same issues repeat themselves week after week, revealing problems every time. When a team consistently makes the same mistakes, that’s a coaching issue.
Recruiting, once a source of optimism, has also plateaued. MSU isn’t landing enough impact players to compete with Big Ten rivals that are growing stronger by the year. Nick Marsh alone is not enough. A new coach could reset relationships and bring fresh energy. In the era of the transfer portal and NIL, programs can rebuild rosters within a year. Michigan State needs a leader who embraces that reality, not one who falls behind it.
Player development is another concern. It’s one thing to recruit talent; it’s another to maximize it. Too many Spartans seem to fall behind in Big Ten competition instead of growing. The hallmark of a strong program is turning three-star players into all-conference contributors. Right now, MSU is not showing that upward development curve.
Most importantly, there’s the matter of culture. The best MSU teams were built on the identity of toughness, discipline, swagger, and a belief that they could outwork anyone. That edge hasn’t been there. Whether it’s the lack of excitement, inconsistent effort in the second halves of games, or the feeling that the program is treading water, it’s clear Jonathan Smith isn’t generating the buy-in required to revive the program.
Michigan State has the resources, fan support, brand new facilities, and brand to be a major factor in the new Big Ten, but it requires a new coach who can set a clear vision and unite players, recruits, and fans behind it. Staying the same is no longer an option for this program. A new era of Spartan football is overdue. MSU needs a new head coach, not just for the team, but because the program deserves someone capable of leading it back to where it belongs.
