Canzano: Is the Civil War Jonathan Smith's swan song?

Beavers coach can afford to be picky.

Jonathan Smith and Chip Kelly talk before a game this season. (Photo: Naji Saker)

It didn’t go as planned for any of them, did it?

Not for Chip Kelly and Willie Taggart. Certainly not for Dennis Erickson and Mike Riley, twice. And Mario Cristobal — at least so far at Miami — hasn’t had the same kind of fist-pumping success he enjoyed while working in the state of Oregon.

Hold that thought while I ask a series of important questions.

Is this Jonathan Smith’s Civil War swan song? Is he going to coach Friday’s game and then leave Oregon State for a better opportunity? If so, will he have similar success elsewhere?

I spoke with Smith this week about the whispers regarding his job status, the uncertainty of the “Pac-2” future, and I came away with some strong thoughts.