The Jonathan Smith era at Michigan State football continues to feel more real by the day, as the transfers and incoming freshmen class early enrollees arrived on campus for the spring semester.
With the new arrivals, Michigan State football’s new head coach Jonathan Smith addressed the media to give some updates on how things have been going, what his program has been up to, and much more as the team starts work outs and the new semester.
You can see the notable quotes from that press conference below.
MSU started working out together last week
MSU coach Jonathan Smith at the podium to talk about transfers and early enrollees and gives some other updates. Team started working out together last week.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 18, 2024
Smith held Zoom call with Spartan alums
Smith says he had a Zoom call with nearly 200 former MSU football players to introduce himself and get to know some of the Spartans from the past. Speaking at Michigan HS coaches association tonight.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 18, 2024
Smith: 'It doesn't slow down'
Smith: "It doesn't slow down." On the road the next few days along with the staff recruiting.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 18, 2024
MSU will have new schemes on both sides
Smith says it will be "an all new scheme" on both sides of the ball for MSU.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 18, 2024
Smith bringing in familiar faces has helped with new terminology
Smith says bringing some Oregon State assistants and players, including QB Aidan Chiles, has helped him "hit the ground running" to installing and teaching terminology and scheme to his new team.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 18, 2024
New DC Joe Rossi still deciding on scheme based on roster
Smith says new DC Joe Rossi "will run things defensively." Plans to look at roster to determine what scheme MSU will use on that side of the ball.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 18, 2024
Don't expect much on the transfer front for a few months
Smith says he doesn't see MSU being heavily active the rest of this month in the transfer portal in part because of school already starting. Believes the Spartans will be more active when the portal reopens in the spring.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 18, 2024
Smith hopes to move family to East Lansing soon
Smith says he hopes to have his family move to the East Lansing area sometime in the next month, but they have been back and forth a few times from Oregon.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 18, 2024
Simeon Barrow, Derrick Harmon, Geno VanDeMark helping bridge the gap with roster
Smith says Derrick Harmon, Simon Barrow, Geno VanDeMark are among the veteran players who have stood out in terms of helping build the bridge with those who were on MSU's roster before he took over as coach. All three entered by withdrew from the portal, Barrow during the season.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 18, 2024
Adding veteran QB Tommy Schuster 'key' in resetting QB room
Smith says having a year of experience in the offense was a key part of QB Aidan Chiles following him to MSU. Says adding a veteran QB in Tommy Schuster was also key in a complete reset of the room.
— Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) January 18, 2024
