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Michigan State is parting ways with head football coach Jonathan Smith. The failed marriage lasted just two years. He will not return in 2026.
Smith is being paid handsomely to leave East Lansing. The school is doling out north of $30 million to let Smith stop coaching.
The coach signed a seven-year deal in 2024 worth $52.8 million. He still had close to $40 million left on that contract after making more than $7 million annually across his first two seasons.
His buyout states that he’d be owed 85% of his remaining pay if fired without cause. The Spartans are on the hook for between around $30 million which could be made payable in monthly installments through 2030.
While there is a mitigation clause to potentially offset Michigan State’s financial responsibility, the payout is significant. Money, however, did not deter the school from making a change.
Now, the attention turns to the future. A replacement has already been found.
Pat Fitzgerald will be Michigan State’s next football coach.
Michigan State intends to hire former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald as its next HC, per @chrissolari.
Fitzgerald went 110-101 in 17 seasons with the Wildcats. pic.twitter.com/pkQrQ9IDXp
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 30, 2025
Fitzgerald won 110 games across nearly two decades in Evanston. A former Northwestern football player, he is the winningest coach in program history.
As a player, he helped the Wildcats reach a Rose Bowl. As a coach, he notched three 10-win seasons and coached in two Big Ten Championship Games.
Unfortunately, he went 4-20 across his last two seasons. Performance, however, was not the reason for his firing.
Northwestern hazing scandal leads to exit.
Pat Fitzgerald was sued by former players amid hazing allegations in the summer of 2023. It tarnished the relationship with his alma mater.
An investigation was unable to prove the head coach’s knowledge of the situation. Still, he was relieved of his duties following an initial two-week suspension.
There were many that agreed with the firing. There were others that did not. Fitzgerald didn’t believe the decision was warranted, leading him to take legal action.
Northwestern eventually settled a $130 million lawsuit brought about by the former coach.
The fact that he was terminated based on no rational reasons or facts whatsoever, the fact that they’ve gone out and destroyed his reputation as one of the best football coaches in America, based on no legitimate reason or evidence, is disgraceful.
It’s despicable conduct on behalf of Northwestern. My client and his family are entitled to their day in court for justice
-Pat Fitzgerald’s attorney Dan Webb
After the settlement, Fitzgerald set his sights on a return to coaching. He’ll get his first shot with the Michigan State football team.
A former rival, he went 5-9 as a coach vs. the Spartans. He now looks to lead the once hated program back to Big Ten relevance.