On Friday night, Oregon State’s head coach Jonathan Smith — a key candidate for the head coaching job at Michigan State — conducted an interview with the Portland radio host and PAC-12 columnist John Canzano. In the interviewCanzano got the former Washington Huskies OC to get candid about the rumors regarding his candidacy for other head coaching vacancies across the country. Smith was mentioned by several national reporters as a candidate for MSU and Texas A&M, while rumors swirled that UCLA would have Smith at the top of their list if they fired embattled head coach Chip Kelly.
In the interview, Canzano asked Smith directly if he had had conversations with other schools across the country. Smith responded admirably and brutally honestly. “I’m not trying to be sarcastic here. “I have an agent who has a job,” Smith said. “He’d better find out what’s out there and what people are calling.” That’s how it works. I can tell you from his side that he should do a better job just because I pay him so much. They get a percentage and I make a few million dollars. I’m not trying to be sarcastic. Every coach knows what is possible when his agent does his job. I’m not trying to avoid the question. I try to be honest.”
To put this in perspective for Oregon State fans, Canzano asked Smith what he would say to Beavers fans nervous about his potential departure. Additionally, Smith hasn’t tried to convince fans that he’s staying put, which is something most coaches would try to do in this situation, whether they’re serious or not. Like his last answer, this one follows the theme that Smith is refreshingly honest through his open wording. His answer was as follows: