It has been reported out of Lansing that Michigan State University Head Coach John L. Smith has been fired pending a 1:30 p.m. press conference. It's unknown whether this is an immediate resignation, or if it goes into effect at the end of the season.
AWE-SOME.
As a Spartan grad, I hate the guy. Repeated collapses. A combined 0-8 against Michigan and Ohio State.
Here are some of Cowboy's numbers since he arrived in my beloved East Lansing in 2002:
Big Ten record : 11-18 Big Ten record (last 8 games): 1-7 (worst 8 game stretch in MSU history - tied) Big Ten record (last 12 games): 2-10 (worst 12 game stretch in MSU history - tied) Big Ten record (last 17 games): 4-13 (worst 17 game stretch in MSU history - tied) Big Ten record (last 25 games): 8-17 Overall record: 22-23 Overall record (last 16 games): 5-11 Overall record (last 37 games): 15-22 Big Game record (ND,UM,OSU,PSU,Bowl): 3-13 On pace for 3 straight losing seasons (Only 3rd time in MSU history: Muddy Waters, Ralph Young)
Wins against teams with end of season winning records... 2006: 1 (Pitt) 2005: 1 (ND) 2004: 2 (Minnesota, Wisconsin) 2003: 2 (Iowa, Minnesota)
Losses against teams with end of season losing records... 2006: 1 (Illinois) 2005: 1 (Purdue) 2004: 2 (Rutgers, Penn State) 2003: 1 (La Tech)
Losses while leading/tied in the 4th qtr 2006: 2 (Notre Dame, Illinois) 2005: 3 (Michigan, Ohio State, Purdue) 2004: 3 (Michigan, Ohio State, Hawaii) 2003: 1 (La Tech)
Record vs Big Ten opponents... Illinois: 3-1 Indiana: 3-1 Iowa: 1-1 Michigan: 0-4 Minnesota: 2-1 Northwestern: 1-1 Ohio State: 0-4 Penn State: 1-2 Purdue: 0-1 Wisconsin: 1-1
* First coach since Ralph Young (1920's) to lose first four to Michigan.
* Third coach to lose 4 straight to UM (Young, Bachman).
* He has lost at least one home game in two consecutive seasons by 30 or more points (2005 NW, 2006 OSU). That's the first time that has ever happened in 110 years of Spartan football. 30+ point home losses have only occurred a handful of times -- that is quite an impressive feat!
* Owns the school record for consecutive Big Ten losses (6 straight -- tied with Muddy Waters)
* Has the worst loss to Northwestern in school history (49-14)
* Has the second worst loss to Indiana in school history (46-21)
I will honestly admit, I know my program will never be on par with those such as Ohio State, USC, and..God, this is hard, Mi-, Mich-, Michigan. Whew, that was rough. But we're in a region that produces several high quality recruits year in and year out. MSU had had the personnel to be a consistent 8, 9-win team, but it never gels. Smith may be a good coach, it may be his coordinators-Dave Baldwin (Off.) and Chris Smeland (Def.)-who don't adjust, but Smith is being placed in the guillotine. Smeland will ser ve as head coach in the interim.
His flashy offense will get him another job, I'm sure. And I wish this was done after the end of last season where my beloved Spartans started 4-0 and finished 5-7.
So to John L., I say...
Don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you.
I think the most telling stat is the number of games lost in the 4th quarter. win those, and he still has a job. Who gets the job? Sabin's struggling,lol. Maybe he'll be ready to come back to CFB.
I have heard several names. I do think this is a good thing because I have never seen him with any fire on the sidelines. The best example of that was during this year's loss to Notre Dame. Charlie Weiss was in his team's #### when they were losing. I never saw John L. do that once. I've heard Gene Chizik (Texas D Coor.), Pat Shurmur (Eagles QB coach) Steve Mariucci (Tom Izzo's) best friend.
Last edited by jaycarmel81 on November 3rd at 6:44 AM.
Hey Jay, so many stats, so little time! I was actually surprised they did not fire John L. at the end of last season, especially when Mariucci became available. Unless he thinks he can survive another foray in the pro's, I believe he is a shoe-in for the job.
Sorry man, you may have to suck this one up! From what I hear, if he wants the job, it's his. I got an early Christmas gift this past weekend-a Grey Goose gift set. Let me know if you think you need it!!!
I was laughing earlier this year because Smith was saying things to the effect of: "OK, we #### up" at his press conferences. Talk about a guy who was saying the wrong thing if he wanted to keep his job! Oh well, at least there's an upside for you on this season- from the sound of this blog, you're as giddy as you would be if MSU had just won the Fiesta Bowl :)
My name is Jason Carmel Davis, and I am a graduate of the Michigan State University School of Journalism. Yes, we do go to class in East Lansing, not just to bars and the liquor store.
I'm almost positive I had an SI with me in the womb, checking out Ralph Wiley. He's the main reason I ever decided to pursue a career in sportswriting .
I even remember the first highlight I ever saw on SportsCenter. I don't remember who was reading it, but it was Michael Jordan's 63-point game against the Celtics in the Garden in the 86 Playoffs. I've been hooked ever since.
