Jonathan Smith’s seat at Michigan State is heating up fast. The Spartans have underperformed in nearly every key metric this season, dropping winnable Big Ten games and showing no signs of offensive or defensive progress. The fanbase is growing restless after a 3–5 start and heavy losses to rivals. Given the university’s $52 million investment, questions are mounting over whether Michigan State will tolerate another losing year under Smith, or pay a steep buyout to start over.
Talk about who could take over from Smith has already started, and it’s looking ever more likely that the Spartans could be looking for a new coach very soon. In the meantime, here’s a full breakdown of Jonathan Smith’s contract, salary, and buyout details at Michigan State, and why his job status is already being debated.
Jonathan Smith Contract
Smith signed a seven-year deal on November 25, 2023, running through January 31, 2031. The contract totals roughly $52.8 million with annual raises and automatic extensions for early success. A 7-win season in any of his first three years adds one year and $100,000 to his pay. The deal also includes a $10.75 million staff pool and a package of perks such as two courtesy vehicles, a private suite at Spartan Stadium, and 50 hours of private air travel for personal use.
- Term: Nov 25, 2023 – Jan 31, 2031
- Total value: $52.8 million
- Automatic extensions: +1 year for 7 wins in first three seasons
- Staff salary pool: $10.75 million annually
Jonathan Smith Salary
Smith earns a salary of $7.35 million in 2025, which rises $100,000 each year through 2030. His compensation places him among the highest-paid coaches in the Big Ten, though expectations have far exceeded early results.
| Contract Year | Total Compensation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $7.25 million |
| 2025 | $7.35 million |
| 2026 | $7.45 million |
| 2027 | $7.55 million |
| 2028 | $7.65 million |
| 2029 | $7.75 million |
| 2030 | $7.85 million |
Performance Incentives
- Bowl Eligibility (6 wins + non-CFP bowl): $75,000
- 7 Wins + non-CFP bowl: $100,000
- Big Ten Championship Appearance: $200,000
- Big Ten Championship Win: $200,000
- CFP First Round or Bye: $150,000
- CFP Quarterfinal: $200,000
- CFP Semifinal: $250,000
- CFP National Title Game: $300,000
- CFP National Title Win: $400,000
- National Coach of the Year: $85,000
- Big Ten Coach of the Year: $25,000
- Graduation Success Rate ≥85%: $25,000
Jonathan Smith Buyout
If Michigan State fires Smith without cause, the school owes him 85% of his remaining salary through January 2031. Payments are made monthly and reduced only if Smith takes another coaching job. The total figure, as of late 2025, would be roughly $33 million.
Projected buyout amounts by year if MSU were to fire him:
- Fired in 2025: $33.0 million
- Fired in 2026: $27.5 million
- Fired in 2027: $22.0 million
- Fired in 2028: $16.9 million
- Fired in 2029: $12.6 million
- Fired in 2030: $6.7 million
If Smith accepts another job before he’s fired or his contract is up, his contract requires him to pay Michigan State a buyout that decreases each year, starting at $6 million in 2025. However, a clause in the agreement cuts that figure in half if Alan Haller is no longer the athletic director at the time. Since Haller’s departure, Smith’s obligation to leave for another position would now drop by 50% under that provision.
Will Michigan State Fire Jonathan Smith?
Smith’s job security looks shaky heading into November. The Spartans have shown little offensive creativity, defensive consistency, or roster improvement since he took over.
Michigan State is again near the bottom of the Big Ten in scoring and total defense, and attendance has dropped significantly.
While firing him now would cost more than $30 million, the school has already shown a willingness to spend heavily to reset its football direction. If the losses keep coming, that financial hit may soon feel like the lesser problem.
