New Michigan State football coach Jonathan Smith is Alan Haller’s legacy and Haller knows it

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Alan Haller’s search for Jonathan Smith began on his walks up the Spartan Stadium steps this season, heading from the field to the press box before halftime. He’d walk the same aisle each week. See the same faces in the stands.

“Every game, they’d still show up,” Michigan State’s athletic director said Monday afternoon, the day before introducing Smith as MSU’s new head football coach. “I still remember the sadness. (And thinking) ‘It’s important that we get the right person to change that.’ ”

Haller had a sense that he’d found that person even before he met Smith in person, through multiple conversations — about Smith’s values and coaching philosophy and what his staff might look like. You know, the normal interview topics.

By the time Haller and MSU deputy athletic director Jen Smith flew out to Oregon and sat down with Smith and his wife Candice, the important questions had long since been answered.

“This was just four people sitting down, talking about life, and what’s important to us,” Haller said. “I was visualizing Tom and Lupe (Izzo), to be honest. … When you meet (Jonathan and Candice), you’re going to see two people that, one, care about each other, but really care about their surroundings and other people.”

This is a big moment for Haller, the most important hire of his career to date. A decision that’ll shape the health, perception and profile of MSU athletics for years to come.

“I understand this is the last football coach I’ll hire at Michigan State,” Haller said. “Whether I get let go or leave on my own, I probably won’t get the opportunity to hire another coach. Nothing is guaranteed, but I wanted to give every effort to get this right.”

Michigan State Athletic Director Alan Haller looks on as new football coach Jonathan Smith speaks during an…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/couch-michigan-state-football-coach-224834919.html

Author : Lansing State Journal

Publish date : 2023-11-28 22:48:34

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