Smith grew up in Pasadena but played football at Glendora High School.
Michigan State Athletics Director J Batt said the program had not met expectations.
“While that does not fall solely on Jonathan Smith, it’s become necessary to make a coaching change in order to chart a new direction,” Batt stated.
Smith, 46, was hired in November 2023 on a seven-year, $53 million contract. His tenure included a 4-14 mark against Big Ten opponents, with five wins from his first season later vacated due to NCAA violations under former coach Mel Tucker. The buyout obligation is estimated at $33.5 million.
Pasadena Roots
His family attended First Church of the Nazarene in Pasadena, where congregants followed his rise from walk-on quarterback to Fiesta Bowl MVP at Oregon State. A Los Angeles Times feature in 2000 described him as “the boy next door, the baby-faced son of Len and Robin Smith.”
At his Michigan State introductory press conference, Smith emphasized his local ties: “Jonathan Smith, 44 years old, born in Pasadena, California. Huntington Hospital, about a mile from The Granddaddy of Them All, the Rose Bowl. Grew up in Pasadena and went to Glendora High School.”
Coaching Connections
Smith hired fellow Pasadena native Demetrice Martin as cornerbacks coach in January 2024. Martin, born in Pasadena in 1973, graduated from John Muir High School, where he lettered in football, baseball and track. He later coached at Pasadena City College and Muir High before joining Michigan State.
Martin left after one season to return to UCLA in December 2024, citing family reasons and the desire to be closer to his parents and children in Los Angeles.
Smith’s Pasadena background has also fueled speculation about his candidacy for UCLA’s coaching vacancy.
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