Jonathan Smith says he was unaware of NCAA investigations at time of hiring, and reflects on loss to Penn State

A disheartening week for anyone involved with the Michigan State football program ended in the same fashion, as the Spartans dropped their seventh-straight game in a 28-10 loss versus Penn State on senior day on Saturday at Spartan Stadium. 

On Wednesday, the NCAA announced that it handed out a severe punishment from violations committed under former head coach Mel Tucker that stripped the program of 14 victories from 2022 through 2024 and puts limitations on future recruiting. Tucker was eventually fired for other well-documented reasons off of the field. 

Current MSU head coach Jonathan Smith, the man who succeeded Tucker, inherited a tough situation that just became a little bit tougher. Five of the 14 wins vacated were from Smith's first season at the helm in 2024 because, unbeknownst to Smith, ineligible players who Tucker brought into the program participated in games. Smith revealed after the game Saturday night that he was not aware of the investigation when he was hired by Michigan State in late November of 2023. Smith noted that this issue was not brought to his attention until "early this year."

Smith made it known that he does not necessarily agree with the penalties, but aligns with MSU's leadership that he is happy to move forward after a lengthy process.

“Yeah, that's been a long cut process, negotiation, things of that nature," Smith said after the game when addressing the sanctions for the first time. "I echo our leadership in regards to getting some of it behind us so we can move forward."

Specifically, vacating five wins from his coaching record at Michigan State is something that Smith did not agree with.

"I don't agree with it, and I think that's similar to the stance at Michigan State, that we don't totally agree with it," Smith said about the vacation of wins. "I think we can modernize — modernize I think was part of the quote (from MSU leadership) —how penalties are enforced."

It became known from Smith that coaches and players were aware this may come out this season, but it was more of a matter of when. Unfortunately, it comes at a time when the team is on a downward spiral on the field. Smith and his staff self-imposed some penalties in anticipation of the NCAA's decision, which the Spartans get credit for serving.