Michigan State has parted ways with head football coach Jonathan Smith, program sources confirm to The Athletic. Smith had originally signed a seven-year, $52.85 million dollar contract when he was hired ahead of the 2024 season. His buyout is north of $30 million.

The move comes at the end of his second season in East Lansing, leaving Smith 9-15 in his two seasons with the Spartans. He was hired after a six-year run at Oregon State. Smith inherited a 4-8 team in 2023 and started 3-0 in 2024 before finishing 5-7 overall and 3-6 in Big Ten play. This season, his Spartans similarly started 3-0 but lost eight straight games before Saturday’s season-ending 38-28 win over Maryland to finish 1-8 in the Big Ten.

Smith’s tenure was marked by an 0-6 record against ranked opponents, with his teams outscored by 139 points in those matchups. His Spartans also lost to rival Michigan in 2024 when both teams entered the game 4-3. Also this season, Michigan State fell to the previously 1-4 UCLA Bruins, 38-13.

Smith’s brief, failed tenure continues the program’s decade of downturn since the height of the Mark Dantonio era saw three Big Ten championships, an 8-2 stretch against Michigan and a College Football Playoff appearance.

Dantonio went 27-24 in his last four seasons before retiring; successor Mel Tucker went 11-2 in his second season and was given a 10-year, $95 million deal, but he was fired in 2023 amid sexual harassment allegations. Tucker is suing MSU, but that effort could be damaged by NCAA sanctions announced Nov. 16 as a result of illegal recruiting inducements during Tucker’s tenure. Michigan State had to vacate 14 wins from 2022-24 because players who were later ruled ineligible participated in those games.

That means all five wins during Smith’s debut season. After a 28-10 loss to Penn State on Nov. 15, Smith told reporters he wasn’t aware the school was under NCAA investigation when he was hired.

Smith was ineffective and fell out of favor quickly with MSU fans, thanks in part to his stoic personality. But he also faced unforeseen challenges because of things that were out of his control and prior to his arrival.

Before arriving in East Lansing, Smith had earned a reputation as a program builder. He lifted Oregon State from a 2-10 record in his first season to 10-3 in 2022, capped by a 30-3 Las Vegas Bowl win over Florida. That season featured a Civil War victory over No. 9 Oregon, 38-34, and earned him Pac-12 Co-Coach of the Year honors.

Prior to becoming a head coach, Smith held several roles as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach — most notably at Washington from 2014 to 2017. Over his more than 20-year coaching career, the 46-year-old has mentored 10 All-Americans, 22 NFL Draft picks and more than 100 all-conference selections. He’s also coached in 10 bowl games, including the 2016 College Football Playoff as Washington’s offensive coordinator.

With two decades of experience and a strong reputation for player development, particularly on offense, Smith is expected to draw interest for Power 5 coordinator positions or other head coaching roles.

ESPN first reported the firing.