Fired MSU Coach Jonathan Smith Has $38.25 Million Left in Contract With Generous Buyout Clause

MSU Coach Jonathan Smith (Screenshot photo from MSU video)

After a dismal season, Michigan State University fired football coach Jonathan Smith. Don't worry, he won't be hurting for money. 

According to CBS Sports:

Smith signed a seven-year, $52.8 million contract in 2024 that still has $38.25 million left on it after this season. Smith's buyout clause calls for him to get paid 85% of his remaining contract, which would put Michigan State on the hook fro just over $32.5 million, payable in monthly installments through 2030. 

New Michigan State athletic director J. Batt fired Smith on Sunday, the Detroit Free Press reports, citing an unnamed source. The Spartans were 4-8 overall and 1-8 in the conference this year.

The Freep reports Smith went 9-15 overall and 4-14 against Big Ten opponents in two seasons after being hired away from Oregon State in 2023. He replaced Mel Tucker, who was fired midseason in 2023 following a scandal.

The Freep reports that MSU plans to replace Smith with former Northwestern Coach Pat Fitzgerald.