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Another week of limbo for Jonathan Smith, Michigan State football
The Michigan State football program finds itself mired in a profound state of uncertainty, a limbo that extends far beyond the playing field as head coach Jonathan Smith faces mounting questions about his future with the Spartans. Amid an eight-game losing streak that ties for the second-longest in program history, Smith's tenure hangs in the balance just two seasons into his rebuild, creating a palpable tension throughout East Lansing that mirrors the precarious nature of modern college football coaching.When directly questioned about whether he's received any concrete assurance from the administration regarding his job security, Smith offered a stark, one-word response: 'No. ' This coaching purgatory comes during what should be a celebratory week—the season finale at Detroit's Ford Field—yet instead feels more like a final examination of Smith's leadership capabilities.The statistics tell a grim story: Smith stands at 8-15 overall and 3-14 in Big Ten play across two seasons, though these numbers are somewhat distorted by the NCAA's vacation of Mel Tucker's wins due to violations during his tumultuous tenure from 2020-2023. What's particularly telling in this situation is the silence from new athletic director J Batt, hired in June, who has observed every postgame press conference without offering public support—a stark contrast to Maryland's Mike Locksley, Smith's upcoming opponent, who recently received administrative backing despite similar struggles.The historical context amplifies the pressure; since joining the Big Ten in 1953, Michigan State has never lost every conference game, and only once under Duffy Daugherty in 1958 did they finish winless in league play. Smith himself acknowledges the accelerated timeline expectations in today's college football landscape, where transfer portals, NIL deals, and revenue sharing have created what he describes as a 'week-to-week' reality for coaches.Yet he maintains confidence in his staff's ability to execute a turnaround, emphasizing the foundational culture they're building despite the dismal results. Player support remains evident, with redshirt freshman quarterback Alessio Milivojevic praising Smith's leadership and the staff's ability to maintain fight rather than flight mentality during this extended slump.The broader question becomes whether two seasons constitutes sufficient time for proper evaluation, especially when considering the program's erosion since its peak a decade ago under Mark Dantonio—a decline that saw Tucker's hyped tenure devolve into scandal and now Smith's back-to-back bowl-less seasons. For a passionate Spartan fanbase that remembers Rose Bowl victories and College Football Playoff appearances, this extended mediocrity feels particularly painful, and Smith recognizes this discontent comes with the territory of coaching at a program with such rich history and expectations. As the early signing period approaches December 3-5, Batt faces a critical decision that will either provide Smith the runway needed for proper rebuilding or plunge the program into another coaching search, making Saturday's finale against Maryland more than just a game—it's potentially the final chapter of an era that never quite found its footing.
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