Five coaching candidates that could take over Michigan State

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Five coaching candidates that could take over Michigan State

Michigan State football has parted ways with Jonathan Smith as the head coach of the Spartans program. The move comes after just two seasons in East Lansing, where Smith compiled a 9-15 record.

Now, MSU athletic director J Batt is tasked with finding a new head man of the Michigan State football program. It will be the third permanent (fourth if you count Harlem Barnett's interim run) head coach since Mark Dantonio departed the program in 2020.

The next hire will be an important one for Michigan State, at a tumultuous time in the program, and needing to get this one right in order to stabilize the program in the Big Ten's landscape.

Here are five candidates that will be on Michigan State's radar:

Pat Fitzgerald (Former Northwestern HC)

Oct 29, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald looks on during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The leader in the clubhouse right now, Pat Fitzgerald is a heavy favorite to land the position. After 17 years at Northwestern, compiling a 110-101 record, he is a true Midwestern guy that fits exactly what Michigan State needs.

Being out of coaching since 2022, it would be interesting to see how Fitzgerald handles a potential return to the sidelines.

Bob Chesney (James Madison HC)

Sep 5, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; James Madison Dukes head coach Bob Chesney argues a call with an official during the first half against the Louisville Cardinals at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

One of the hottest names on the market, Chesney has been linked to both Penn State and UCLA's openings. With Michigan State open, you would have to think that he is someone that is in the mix. Holding a 131-51 record as a head coach, Chesney has had success at every level, from division three all the way up to FBS football.

Complicating a potential hire some, James Madison is set up to potentially make the college football playoff, and could make the timing of Chesney's arrival to a new program weird.

Jason Eck (New Mexico HC)

Aug 30, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; New Mexico Lobos head coach Jason Eck on the sideline in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

What Jason Eck has done at New Mexico is incredible. In his first season, he has led the Lobos to a 9-3 record, the best regular season win total the program has seen since 1997.

An alum of Wisconsin, Eck is no stranger to the Midwest, and has cut his teeth to earn a power conference opportunity. In three seasons at Idaho, prior to joining New Mexico, he compiled a 26-13 record.

Jake Dickert (Wake Forest HC)

Oct 11, 2025; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons head coach Jake Dickert smiles on the sideline during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

A Wisconsin native, Jake Dickert is a Midwesterner at heart, but his coaching career outside of the region. Over the past four seasons, Dickert has been the head man of power conference programs. Prior to Wake Forest, where he has assembled a fantastic 8-4 team in his first year, he was the head man at Washington State for three and a half years, compiling a 23-20 record.

It is unclear if he is looking to move up the ladder, but if he is, Michigan State would be a nice upgrade.

Mike Denbrock (Notre Dame OC)

Sep 7, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock watches warmups before the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

If you want regionality, look no further than Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. A Homer (MI) native that attended Grand Valley State, he has spent 12 seasons coaching at Notre Dame to add to four seasons at Cincinnati and two seasons at LSU. It is also worth noting he was a grad assistant at MSU from 1988 to 1989.

Denbrock has been an offensive coordinator for two college football playoff appearances and a national championship game appearance, while coaching in a BCS national championship as well. Needless to say, he has been a winner throughout his career.

While Denbrock has never served as a head coach, if he wants a chance at leading his own program, Michigan State makes a ton of sense.

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Five coaching candidates that could take over Michigan State

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