Spartans Fire Jonathan Smith After Win Over Maryland: Pat Fitzgerald Expected to Take Over
Michigan State finally got the moment they’d been starving for — a Big Ten win. But before players could clear out their lockers and go through final team meetings, the headline had already flipped. Jonathan Smith is out. Reports say Pat Fitzgerald is in. And just like that, a feel-good 38–28 win over Maryland at Ford Field became the appetizer for a full-blown reset in East Lansing.
In a year defined by frustration, inconsistency, and one brutal losing streak, MSU somehow saved its best for last. The victory snapped an eight-game skid and avoided the Spartans’ first winless Big Ten season since 1958. But the celebration lasted all of about ten minutes — because the Smith era officially ended before the echoes of “Go Green!” even faded.
For a fan base desperate for stability, this is another jarring twist. But it also marks the beginning of something new.
⭐ STAT CAPSULE
Final Score: Michigan State 38, Maryland 28
Location: Ford Field, Detroit
MSU Finishes: 4–8 (1–8 Big Ten)
🏈 Passing
Alessio Milivojevic:
27/39 · 292 YDS · 4 TD
Career day for the redshirt freshman — poised, accurate, and in command.
🎯 Receiving
- Nick Marsh: 7 REC · 85 YDS · TD
- Jack Velling: 5 REC · 68 YDS · TD
- Omari Kelly: Fourth-down dagger TD to seal it
🚀 Rushing
Elijah Tau-Tolliver:
13 CAR · 95 YDS
Strong between-the-tackles burst all afternoon.
⚡ Special Teams
Alante Brown:
92-yard kickoff return TD
Momentum swing that lit up Ford Field.
🛡 Defense
Aydan West: 8 tackles
Team: Game-clinching turnover on downs late in the 4th
The Jonathan Smith Era: What Went Wrong… and What Didn’t
Smith’s two-year run ends with a 9–15 record and a whole lot of “what ifs.”
The Bad News:
The losses piled up. The offensive rhythm never truly settled. And the 2025 campaign — capped by a 4–8 finish and just one conference victory — stretched the patience of Spartan Nation to its limits. Alumni, fans, and even some inside the building questioned whether Smith ever felt fully aligned with the culture in East Lansing.
The Good News:
Smith didn’t lose the locker room. His players fought for him right to the final whistle. And he leaves behind real development wins — most notably at quarterback. Redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic flourished late in the year and showcased real upside, offering a glimpse of what could’ve been if the timeline were a little longer.
Smith walked out with class, but the decision was made: it was time to turn the page.
Offense Comes Alive in Finale
The finale of Smith’s tenure was flat-out fun. Alessio Milivojevic delivered the best performance of his young career — 27-of-39 for 292 yards and four touchdowns — playing with the confidence of a quarterback who knows he belongs.
His go-to guys stepped up:
- Nick Marsh: 7 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD
- Jack Velling: 5 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD
- Omari Kelly: Fourth-down dagger touchdown to seal it
On the ground, Elijah Tau-Tolliver churned out 95 yards on 13 carries, keeping the chains moving and opening up the passing game.
And then came the moment of the game.
Alante Brown, returning from a two-month injury layoff, took a kickoff 92 yards to the house — a stadium-shaking play that flipped the momentum right back to Michigan State.
Defensively, true freshman Aydan West led the way with eight tackles, and the Spartans bowed up late, forcing a turnover on downs to close it out.
It felt like a corner turned… even if the corner came one week too late.
A New Era: Pat Fitzgerald Expected to Lead the Rebuild
While the team celebrated on the field, MSU leadership was already finalizing the next chapter. Multiple reports say Pat Fitzgerald — the winningest coach in Northwestern history — is set to take over in East Lansing.
Fitzgerald brings:
- 17 seasons of Big Ten head-coaching experience
- Two Big Ten West titles
- A defensive blueprint that fits MSU’s historical identity
- Instant credibility and toughness
This is a hire that signals Michigan State wants stability, identity, and a proven Big Ten voice steering the ship.
Smith, moments after his final win, said:
“Really happy and proud of that locker room. We’ve been through a lot. They went to work, played and practiced with the energy and so I’m happy for them to come out with a win like they did.”
A classy ending — but the page has already turned.
Spartan Nation now looks ahead, hopeful that Fitzgerald can restore the edge, swagger, and consistency the program has been missing.
I never felt Jonathan Smith truly connected with the Michigan State fanbase. His sideline presence always raised questions — quiet, isolated, and rarely seen engaging with players or assistants. It often made you wonder if he ever fully fit in at MSU. For a program that feeds off energy, communication, and visible leadership, his style never quite resonated with those watching closely.
For Spartan fans everywhere, today brings at least a glimmer of hope — a sign that the tough, messy 2025 season can finally turn the page and move toward something brighter.
What do you make of the timing — was firing Smith right after a win the right call? And is Pat Fitzgerald the steady hand this program needs? Drop a comment below, or join the conversation in the Spartans Sound Off — where fans break down every game, every angle.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
