Rivalry news: Michigan State will begin another coaching search soon

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Michigan football did not have a successful season by its own metrics, having failed to beat Ohio State, win the Big Ten Championship, or College Football Playoff. In fact, it fell short of the three by pretty wide margins. But there was one thing the Wolverines did: beat Michigan State.

The Spartans have been in a free fall since Mel Tucker's successful 2021 season, but since, MSU hasn't exactly fielded a competitive team. In the second year of head coach Jonathan Smith's tenure, the green and white managed just one Big Ten win, against Maryland this week in front of a sparsely populated crowd at Ford Field in Detroit.

After just two seasons, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel, MSU is moving on from Smith, marking a new era in East Lansing.

Michigan State had become more competitive down the stretch of the season, even if that didn't equate into wins. And now MSU will be wading into waters where it must hire a head coach while Penn State, Ole Miss, and some other top programs are still in search of a new leader. Florida, Arkansas, and LSU filled their vacancies on Sunday.

Smith was 0-2 against the Wolverines and hasn't recruited well in his tenure. Even so, as a Big Ten team, the Spartans will have resources, but will they have the name recognition to coax a big name to East Lansing? That remains to be seen.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Rivalry news: Michigan State set to fire Jonathan Smith, per reports

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