Oregon
MSU hires Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith as next football coach
Michigan State hired coach Jonathan Smith away from No. 15 Oregon State on Saturday, hoping he can rebuild a program that crumbled with Mel Tucker in charge.
The 44-year-old Smith was 34-35 over six seasons at Oregon State, including an 8-4 mark this year that helped the program earn at least eight wins in consecutive seasons for the first time in more than a decade.
“Today is an exciting day for Michigan State as we welcome Jonathan Smith, wife Candice, and children Robert, Bella and Charles to our Spartan family,” said MSU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Alan Haller, in a statement. “Jonathan has a proven track record of success, building the Oregon State program from the ground up by implementing a plan resulting in sustained historic success for the Beavers. He’s been a part of championship staffs, coached in the College Football playoff, and understands what’s required to be successful at the highest level, learning from some of the game’s most successful coaches.
“On the field, his teams are tough and physical, yet innovative. This year, Oregon State has controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, ranking among the nation’s leaders in both rushing offense and rushing defense. He’s shown not only the ability to recruit talented student-athletes who fit his system, but also to develop and maximize players once they’re in the program. At his core, he’s a quarterbacks coach, and throughout his career he’s been instrumental in the development of young quarterbacks, which is essential in today’s college football landscape.
“Beyond the football field, the Smith family will be an excellent addition to the entire Michigan State University community. Jonathan and Candice are excited to be invested community members and realize that Spartan football is just one part of the University’s larger mission.
“With the Tom Izzo Football Building nearing completion, demonstrating our commitment to providing championship resources, and with the support of our passionate and loyal fan base, this is certainly an exciting time to begin a new era of Spartan Football. Jonathan has a great appreciation for the rich history and tradition of our program, and is committed to doing what’s required to compete for championships at the Big Ten and national level.”As a quarterback, Smith led the Beavers to the 2001 Fiesta Bowl. The Pasadena, California, native returned as head coach in late 2017, inheriting a team that was 1-11.
Previously, he was Washington’s quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. He also coached quarterbacks at Boise State, Montana and Idaho after starting his coaching career as an Oregon State graduate assistant in 2002.
Smith had six years remaining on his contract, worth $31.2 million through 2029, with a $3 million buyout.
Tucker was suspended in early September and fired later in the month for acknowledging he had phone sex with a vendor who was paid to speak with his team about how to prevent sexual abuse and misbehavior.
Interim coach Harlon Barnett was 2-8 in place of Tucker.
Smith faces a big challenge, taking over a team that was routed in each of its four games against highly ranked opponents and with the Big Ten expanding next season to add some powerful programs.
The Spartans lost 41-7 to Washington, 49-0 to Michigan, 38-3 to Wisconsin and closed a miserable season with a 42-0 setback to Penn State.
Michigan State, though, has proven it can compete in college football.
Tucker won 11 games, including a New Year’s Six bowl, in 2021 when the Spartans were ranked as high as No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings and No. 5 in the AP Top 25.
Mark Dantonio won 36 games and two Big Ten titles in a three-year run that started a decade ago. Nick Saban turned the Spartans into a winner in 1999 before leaving for LSU.
Smith, meanwhile, is leaving a football program with an uncertain future due to departures from the Pac-12.
“His decision follows weeks of conversations during which he expressed his support for Oregon State’s short- and long-term plans and appreciation for the efforts Oregon State made to provide him with a new contract and guaranteed compensation,” athletic director Scott Barnes said.
Oregon State and Washington State are the lone remaining teams in the Pac-12 after the other 10 teams bolted in realignment. Together the Beavers and Cougars have filed a lawsuit to retain the conference’s assets.
Smith has experience taking over a team in turmoil.
He was hired after the 2017 season in which Gary Andersen abruptly parted ways with the school after a 1-5 start and with seven wins in 2 1/2 years. Interim coach Cory Hall was winless in six games that year.
The Smith-led Beavers won a total of nine games in his first three years before going 7-6 in 2021. He won 10 games last year and shared Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors.
Smith closed his coaching career at Oregon State with a 31-7 loss to rival and sixth-ranked Oregon.
“On the field, his teams are tough and physical, yet innovative,” Haller said. “This year, Oregon State has controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, ranking among the nation’s leaders in both rushing offense and rushing defense.
“He’s shown not only the ability to recruit talented student-athletes who fit his system, but also to develop and maximize players once they’re in the program. At his core, he’s a quarterbacks coach, and throughout his career he’s been instrumental in the development of young quarterbacks, which is essential in today’s college football landscape.”
Michigan Wolverines star cornerback Will Johnson’s status for the Oregon Ducks matchup has been up in the air for the past couple of weeks, but all signs now point to him not playing on Saturday, Nov. 2, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS and 247 Sports. This will be his third consecutive
Big Ten Conference game on the sidelines for the Wolverines.
Johnson left Michigan’s 27-24 win against USC on Sept. 21 with a shoulder injury and sat out the following week against Minnesota. He also underwent knee surgery in the offseason before the 2023 season, which forced him to miss the Wolverines’ first three games.
Johnson suffered a more recent foot injury during the first half of the 21-17 road loss at Illinois on Oct. 19 this season. Oregon’s coach Dan Lanning realizes how much of an impact this loss has for the Michigan defense.
“He’s a great player. He has ball production. He gets in and out of breaks. He’s able to take away a side of the field. So he’s definitely a guy that would make an impact.”
– Oregon coach Dan Lanning
Johnson’s put together 14 total tackles, three pass deflections and two interceptions on the defensive end during his junior season. He has also returned two punt returns for touchdowns in five games played for the Wolverines.
During Michigan’s College Football Playoff title run last season, Johnson finished with 27 tackles, four pass deflections, four interceptions as well as one punt return to the house in his sophomore campaign.
“Will has no plan of just shutting it down or anything like that. Will, if he could go out there, he would go out there in a heartbeat. And, I know that he’ll be back out there at some point this season, whether it’s this week, next week, or whatever it is. And there’s zero doubt in my mind that he, the competitor that wants to be out there with his teammates, so I know he’ll be back.”
– Michigan coach Sherrone Moore
When healthy, Johnson has been impactful throughout his entire career for the Wolverines. He’s considered one of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL draft due to his natural ball skills and playmaking instincts in the secondary.
Michigan will have a tough time against Heisman-hopeful quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the Oregon passing attack without Johnson. His versatility in both man and zone coverage schemes would make a difference for the Wolverines (5-3, 3-2) against the No. 1 Ducks (8-0, 5-0) who will kick-off at the “Big House” at 12:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, Nov. 2.
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Safe winter driving tips in Oregon
Here are some tips to keep you safe on the roads.
While winter doesn’t officially start until Dec. 21, Oregon has already begun to see snow and cooler temperatures, which means it’s not too early to get studded tires and chains.
Here’s when you can get studded tires, when you might need them and where to get them.
When are studded tires legal in Oregon?
In Oregon, it’s legal to replace regular traction tires with studded tires from Nov. 1 through March 31.
Studded tires consist of metal studs rooted throughout the tread of the tire that give drivers better traction by digging into packed snow and ice, making for safer driving in winter conditions. For areas of Oregon such as central, eastern and mountain passes that typically see ice and heavy snowfall each year, studded tires and chains are sometimes required.
All highways throughout the state are subject to Oregon’s chain law. In normal winter weather, vehicles rated at 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or less are allowed to use traction tires in place of chains as long as they’re not towing or being towed, according to Oregon Department of Transportation.
However, in certain road conditions, studded tires may not be enough.
When does Oregon require chains or studded tires?
When going through particularly bad road conditions, drivers may encounter conditional road closures where they will see brightly lit electronic messages letting them know whether chains are required, or if traction tires are enough.
To find out beforehand whether Oregon roads are experiencing any closures, travelers can go to the TripCheck website and view current statewide road conditions.
Should you use studded tires in Oregon?
Due to the impact studded tires have on pavement, the Oregon Department of Transportation advises drivers that studded tires should only be used when necessary.
Research has been conducted on the type of damage studded tires does to roadways, including how the use of studs “can shorten the asphalt surface life of pavements,” according to a report by the ODOT Research Unit.
ODOT recommended that drivers delay using studded tires or even looking into other traction tire options.
In place of studs, all-weather or high-performance tires provide wider tracts, deeper grooves and uneven surfaces to provides better traction for drivers in any road conditions.
Where can drivers purchase studded tires in Oregon?
As the colder months approach, chains, studded tires and other traction tires can be purchased at tire retailers like Les Schwab, Discount Tire and local tire retailers around Oregon.
Costs for studding and purchasing studdable tires will vary depending on the type of vehicle you have.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.
A total of 39 people have tested positive in the US this year, including nine from Washington, as the virus has infected poultry flocks and spread to more than 400 dairy herds, federal data show. All of the cases were farm workers who had known contact with infected animals, except for one person in Missouri.
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