New Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith formally approved by trustees, now has full contract
New Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith addresses the fans during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Michigan State and Georgia Southern, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich.
By Matt Wenzel | mwenzel2@mlive.com
Nearly three weeks after he was named Michigan State’s new football coach, Jonathan Smith’s hire was rubber stamped.
The university’s Board of Trustees formally approved Smith by a unanimous vote without discussion during a meeting on Friday.
Given Smith was already introduced during a formal press conference, has been hiring a staff and recruiting, it was basically a formality but the board must approve a new football coach. Smith spent the last six seasons as the head coach at Oregon State, his alma mater.
“I congratulate athletic director Alan Haller on a great selection and welcome Coach Smith and his family to East Lansing,” Michigan State interim president Teresa Woodruff said during Friday’s meeting.
Kevin Guskiewicz, chancellor at North Carolina, was hired last week as Michigan State’s next president and will take over on March 4.
With the Board of Trustees officially signing off on Smith, the 26th head coach of the program now has a full contract, which the athletic department released on Friday. He previously was working under a term sheet signed Nov. 25, the day he was hired.
The 17-page contract, which was signed this week by Smith, Haller and Woodruff, contains most of the major details that were in the term sheet.
* Smith signed a seven-year deal that will pay him $52.85 million and is 85 percent guaranteed. He will receive $6 million annually in base salary and $1.25 million in supplemental income through media and marketing participation, apparel and equipment deals and university appearances. Smith’s supplemental income will increase by $100,000 a year, reaching $7.85 million in the final year of the deal.
* During the first three seasons Smith leads the Spartans, he will automatically receive a one-year extension if he reaches seven wins.
* Bonuses in Smith’s deal include $25,000 for being named Big Ten Coach of the Year, $150,000 if Michigan State is selected for the College Football Playoff, $200,000 for winning a Big Ten championship and $400,000 for winning the national championship.
* Michigan State will pay the $3 million buyout to Oregon State for Smith leaving the Beavers. He will also receive $75,000 for moving expenses, the use of two luxury vehicles, 50 hours a year of private plane use for personal reasons, a country club membership and tickets to various Michigan State sports.
* Smith’s buyout to leave for another job starts at $7 million in the first year and drops each year before getting to zero after Dec. 2, 2029. If Haller is no longer athletic director at the time Smith leaves, he would owe only 50 percent of the buyout at the time.
* Smith will have an annual base salary budget of at least $10.75 million for his 10 on-field assistants and off-field staff. Contracts for assistant coaches will be limited to two years while Haller can approve three-year deals for coordinators and the head strength and conditioning coach.
* After former coach Mel Tucker was fired for cause in September following alleged sexual misconduct with a university vendor – and has signaled his intent to sue the university over the nearly $80 million left on his deal – it’s not a surprise Smith’s contract contains a lengthier section on cause for termination. The language includes “use of authority to exploit others” and “any conduct, including acts or omissions, that misleads” Michigan State or its athletic director.
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