Michigan State University football coach Jonathon Smith seen Tuesday, July 29, 2025, during the first day of football practice at the Skandalaris Football Center.
EAST LANSING, Oct. 12, 2025 ~ Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith didn’t sugarcoat the situation following his team’s third straight loss. Sitting at 3–3, Smith described Sunday’s team meeting as a moment of reckoning, where players and coaches alike took a hard look in the mirror. “We’ve got to play better,” he said, emphasizing that accountability was shared across the board, from the offensive line to the quarterback to the coaching staff. The team shifted its film review approach, watching as a full offensive unit to encourage broader understanding and ownership. “It was a really healthy day,” Smith said, noting that the Spartans are focused on correcting mistakes and regaining their identity.
A recurring theme throughout the press conference was players trying to do too much, stepping outside their assignments in an effort to make a big play, which often backfired. Smith pointed to breakdowns in run defense and man coverage as examples of execution lapses that led to big gains for opponents. While some outside the program questioned the team’s effort, Smith pushed back. “We didn’t have guys just shutting it down,” he said. “We had guys that cut others loose, didn’t cover their man, and that got called out.” He acknowledged the emotional toll of recent losses, describing players as “hurt” and “angry,” but said the focus now is on channeling that frustration into improvement.
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October 13, 2025 ~ Ryan dives into MSU’s 34-13 loss to UCLA and how the fanbase has more apathy than anything else towards Jonathan Smith and the Michigan State Football program.
(CONTINUED) Looking ahead, Smith praised Indiana for their physicality and balance on both sides of the ball. He highlighted junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s quick release and decision-making, calling him “a competitive guy playing at a really high level.” Smith noted that Indiana’s growth from last season to now has been impressive, especially with back-to-back road wins. “They’re one of the best teams in the country,” he said. The Spartans will need to be sharp in all three phases to compete, especially against a team that brings pressure on special teams and plays with discipline on defense.
Despite the noise surrounding the program, Smith remained composed and focused on the long game. “I don’t call it disappointment,” he said of the public scrutiny. “It comes with the territory.” He reiterated his belief in the people inside the building and stressed the importance of simplifying schemes to help players regain confidence. “We want to be a team that plays our best in the fourth quarter, that finishes strong,” he said. With six games left, Smith sees the second half of the season as a chance to reset and prove what this team is capable of.
