Source close to Michigan State football expects Jonathan Smith back for year three -- and explains why

Here on Spartans Illustrated, we have a (mostly) weekly feature livestream called Choo-Choo and the Doctor. After a full discussion of recent results against Penn State and Iowa this week, the pair addressed the elephant in the coaching room in East Lansing.

Paul Fanson didn’t try to sidestep the topic. He went straight to the question dominating every Michigan State conversation: the future of Jonathan Smith. Nearly two years in, the wins weren’t there. Smith was 0–8 in Big Ten play, and while other athletic directors around the country had either made mid-season firings or publicly backed their coaches, J Batt had remained silent. The fanbase was split, the chatter was loud, and Paul put the issue directly to Jehuu Caulcrick.

Jehuu began with what he saw on the field. The players weren’t giving up. They were fighting every week, something he connected directly to the coaching staff. He contrasted it with the three-and-nine season under Mark Dantonio, when players were already making postseason and Christmas break plans. That wasn’t happening now. He pointed to leaders like Jordan Hall and Alex VanSumeren — players who continued to fight, week after week — and said that alone was a testament to the current staff.

When Paul asked whether Jonathan Smith would return for a third year, Jehuu didn’t hesitate. Yes, he believed Smith would be back. And yes, he believed Smith deserved to be back. He acknowledged that many people would disagree, and that some would come after him on social media, but he welcomed an open, respectful debate with anyone who wanted to have it.