Jonathan Charles Smith (born January 18, 1979) is an American college football coach and the current head coach of the Michigan State Spartans. Previously, he served as the head coach at his alma mater, Oregon State University, where he revitalized the program and earned Pac-12 Co-Coach of the Year honors in 2022.
Quick Facts of Jonathan Smith
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jonathan Charles Smith |
| Date of Birth | January 18, 1979 |
| Age | 46 (2025) |
| Birthplace | Pasadena, California, USA |
| College | Oregon State University |
| Playing Position | Quarterback |
| Coaching Career | Oregon State (HC, 2018–2023), Michigan State (HC, 2024–present) |
| Current Record | 8–12 (Michigan State) |
| Salary | $7.25 million per year (2024–present) |
| Net Worth | $5 million (estimated, 2025) |
| Family | Wife Candice Smith, children Bella, Robert, and Charles |
| Awards | Co-Pac-12 Coach of the Year (2022) |
Early Life and Playing Career
Jonathan Smith was born in Pasadena, California, and graduated from Glendora High School in 1997. He walked on to play football at Oregon State University under coach Mike Riley and became a four-year starting quarterback from 1998 to 2001.
- 1998–2001: Smith started midway through his redshirt freshman season and never relinquished the role.
- 2000 Season: Led Oregon State to an 11–1 record, a school-record, shared their first conference title in 36 years, and finished the season ranked fourth nationally.
- Fiesta Bowl MVP: Smith earned MVP honors in the 2001 Fiesta Bowl.
College Stats (Passing)
| Year | GP | Cmp | Att | Yds | TD | Int |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 6 | 81 | 181 | 1,427 | 6 | 5 |
| 1999 | 12 | 207 | 425 | 3,053 | 15 | 7 |
| 2000 | 12 | 170 | 338 | 2,773 | 20 | 7 |
| 2001 | 11 | 180 | 317 | 2,427 | 14 | 10 |
| Total | 41 | 638 | 1,261 | 9,680 | 55 | 29 |
Coaching Career
Assistant Coach (2002–2017)
- Oregon State: Graduate assistant (2002–2003)
- University of Idaho: Quarterbacks coach (2004–2009)
- University of Montana: Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (2010–2011)
- Boise State: Quarterbacks coach (2012–2013)
- University of Washington: Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (2014–2017)
Oregon State Head Coach (2018–2023)
Smith took over a struggling program in 2018. Highlights include:
- 2021 Season: Posted his first winning record (7–6), invited to the LA Bowl.
- 2022 Season: Guided Oregon State to a ten-win season and a Las Vegas Bowl victory over Florida (30–3).
- Awards: Named Pac-12 Co-Coach of the Year (2022).
- Contract: Final Oregon State deal valued at $4.85 million annually (2023).
Michigan State Head Coach (2024–present)
- Hired November 25, 2023, after Mel Tucker’s departure.
- 2024 Salary: $7.25 million per season on a seven-year, $52.85 million contract.
- Oversees team development, recruiting, and culture-building, emphasizing player growth and program stability.
Net Worth and Salary
Jonathan Smith’s financial success comes primarily from his coaching career:
- Net Worth (2025): Estimated at $5 million
- Annual Salary (Michigan State, 2024–present): $7.25 million
- Career Earnings: Progressive increases from assistant roles to head coach, including Oregon State deals.
Career Earnings Snapshot
| Year | Team | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Washington | $441,534 |
| 2017 | Washington | $700,008 |
| 2018 | Oregon State | $1,900,008 |
| 2019 | Oregon State | $1,900,008 |
| 2020 | Oregon State | $2,288,000 |
| 2021 | Oregon State | $2,444,000 |
| 2022 | Oregon State | $3,750,000 |
| 2023 | Oregon State | $4,850,000 |
| 2024 | Michigan State | $7,250,000 |
Personal Life
Jonathan Smith is married to Candice Smith, and the couple has three children: Bella, Robert, and Charles. He is known for prioritizing family and player development, maintaining a balance between professional success and personal integrity.
