Scott Rueck is a True Beaver….In life we come across many storms…What defines us is do we run away from the storms or do we hit them head and move forward..Smith ran like a little Coward while Rueck embraced the stormed with loyalty and Class…Go Beavs
Jonathan Smith is a class act. He poured many years of his life into Oregon State University, including the terrific 11-season when he was behind center. He took a new job, and looked out for his immediate family and their future when doing so. Can’t fault a guy for that. And yes, UW would have taken Smith in a heartbeat if the stars would have aligned. His OC work under Petersen was impressive. I hope Jonathan makes it back to Husky nation in years to come.
By what definition of "Class"? Not so much. "Looked out for his family"....Smith got the same offer from OSU he took at MSU. This was about his ego (to be in the B1G) not about financial security. I mean, how much is enough?! He was already guaranteed over $100M in lifetime earnings. Think that might be enough?
I appreciate your tone, but it simply is untrue what you say. MSU is a big mess. They have been in the middle to lower end of the B1G even before the PAC12 teams were added. It is unlikely Smith will accomplish anything there, will not get an offer at an Ohio State or Penn State, and he will be gone in a couple of years since the locals have no loyalty to him. He is just a carpet-bagger in Michigan. Sorry, you normally have good takes, but not this time.
Eh. Considering that MSU made the CFB when it only took 4 teams, I'm going to go out on a limb and say Sparty will make the CFB again before OR St. does a first time.
Eh? Oregon State made the Rose Bowl when there were only 4 major bowl games. OSU was ranked #4 in 2001 which is one spot below MSU which was #3 in 2013 and OSU was ranked #13 towards the end of 2023 in a year when MSU went 4-8. Both teams have storied histories and have had good runs, MSU under Mark Dantonio with none before or since, unless you count the outlier #8 spot in 2021, under Mel Tucker who had a good year or two, feeding off the remnants of Dantonio. There is no reason Oregon State can't make another run to the top with the right head coach, which Bray might be. Boise State has had decades of top level performance from the MWC, so conference is not a big factor. Oregon State is a large university, has good alumni support and could find someone to fund a larger NIL in the near future, something MSU also needs and does not have in this modern era (NIL is the entire game; get enough money to buy 4 and 5 stars who will jump to whoever offers the most and anyone can build a national championship team, maybe even a Wyoming). OSU has competition for players and media nearby at Oregon as does MSU from Michigan. They are comparable situations. So your projection has no significance and is just your not very well informed opinion.
I don’t hold it against a coach moving on in the name of opportunity…in general. It is how they handle their exit that is a mark of their integrity and DNA. Smith handled his departure very poorly at best. Telling his team two days before they played the CW was ill-timed and demoralizing. Other actions were not welcomed.
100% disagree that this was a postive for his immediate family. I have friends and co-workers that live in Corvallis that were his neighbors, knew their family or played youth sports or other community orgs with them. Their kids loved Corvallis and were very entrenched there. Heard their kids being pulled out of schools and activities was disruptive for them. Sure that is the reality of the coaching world but his move is far from doing what’s best for the family.
When Rueck talks, I FEEL his emotion forever the team and school and it reminds me why I love Oregon State.
JS just interviewed and gave the most bland discussion of the Oregon State... He described Brays team as "a good football team", and generic discussion about the team. for anyone that listened to JS over the years, it was the exact same thing he said in interviews for every single opponent. He basically showed, even now, there is nothing more special in his heart for the Beavs than any other random team out there.
It wasn't highly publicized, but JS broke his hand or wrist during the Fiesta Bowl. I know this because I attended the Pep Rally at Gill Coliseum after the Fiesta Bowl win with my infant son, Cooper. At the pep rally, when the crowd yelled "Hooooosh," I looked down at my son, and dreamed of someday sitting in that same building and hearing "Cooooooop!"
I have photos with Coach Erickson holding Cooper, LB James Allen holding Cooper, and Jonathan Smith, cast and all, holding Cooper. Jonathan's mother was nearby as I snapped the picture. As Jonathan took hold of Coop, his mother snapped: "Don't you drop that baby, Jonathan!"
As JS progressed through his coaching career in Montana, Boise and Seattle, each time there was an opening, I hoped he would come home. When he finally came home in late 2017, I was ecstatic. This was the guy to return the Beavers to relevance (again).
In the spring of 2018, I ran into Jonathan outside of Reser Stadium. I was going to Samaritan Sports Medicine and he had just finished up a phone call that he was taking in the parking lot.
We had a short (90 seconds?) chat, and I told him about the picture with my son in 2001. He laughed and said he remembered that. We parted ways, he towards the Valley Football Center, and me to get my quarterly cortisone injection in my right knee. As he walked away, I said "Jonathan, don't drop my baby" and pointed towards Reser Stadium. He chuckled and went on.
In May of 2018, my son passed away....my baby was gone. June of that year, I ventured to Omaha and exploded with tears as the Beavers overcame adversity and defeated Arkansas. That night, in the celebration at the hotel, I got a private moment with Coach Casey...who I had talked to when he was at George Fox and I was thinking about attending to play some baseball for him...I told him the heartbreak I was dealing with, and how for a brief moment, I wasn't hurting.
Sports became my distraction from grief.
That Fall, the JS program began to resurrect Beaver Football...it became competitive again, and FUN.
As Jonathan spoke, I felt like he valued our "BABY" the same way I and the rest of us in Beaver Nation did.
Last year, as the PAC crumbled, I was reminded of those moments with Jonathan, and privately whispered "don't drop the baby, Jonathan"...and then he bailed.
That Civil War at Autzen, which I paid hundreds of $ to attend, was embarrassing. The team looked unprepared and uninspired. I had beers that night at "The Favorite Mistake" in Albany, and one of the assistant coaches came in. Without saying so directly, he hinted that Smith was leaving and had already told a few members of the staff and team. The next morning, Smith was gone.
There were better ways to leave. He didn't need to gut the program, he was going to be blessed with money in his pocket, and seemingly unlimited resources. He could have remained focused on the Ducks for a week before bailing after the CW a few days later.
As much as I loved what he did for Beaver Nation in 1998 to 2001, and again from 2017 to 2023.....as much as I admired his story of being mistaken for the "equipment manager" then rising to be a successful P5 QB and then successful coaching career.
As a OSU graduate and long time die-hard beaver fan, and Christian, Given his past efforts to rebuild our team, I can forgive JS for bailing on us and gutting the program of talent, but I will remain disappointed. Unfortunately I couldn’t help but cheer on the Ducks over their big win last night.
Been a huge Beaver fan my entire 41 year life. Never have i rooted for the ducks to win a game in any sport until today. I currently am headed to the duck store for duck gear before heading south to Eugene to boo Smith and hope the ducks brutally embarrass he and his team. Run them out of Autzen.
You are a sad sad Beaver fan. You must have loved Mike Reilly killing the program. Imagine being a grown man and going to your longtime opponent’s game to boo the guy who brought OSU back from the grave. Please consider getting a life. Salty OSU fans like you need to move on.
This same man, told us all he had his dream job. Had us convinced he was with us for the long haul. But bolted in one of our darkest hours. When we needed him most. Not only he, but he took everyone he could with him. Sounds like a saint to me.
Agree, not exactly Winston Churchill like. There is a reason the term “long suffering Beaver fan” was coined. Over and over, just when things started going good, the good got going…Tommy Prothro…Dennis Erickson…Mike Riley…Smith…Joe Avezz..never mind. For Smith to leave after mailing in his last CW, the way he left, left deep wounds for us LSBF’s.
My wish today, John, let this be your last piece on Smith’s departure.
Spelled Riley wrong. Obviously do not follow the Beavers. Mike, a Corvallis native, was great. But he was not perfect, as Nebraska showed. He has a certain offensive philosophy that really works with the right type of players (spread option offense) but his Defenses were never any good. That was his deficiency before and after Erickson. Dennis Erickson built a GREAT defense in 2000 and that is why they ended up #4 in the country after blowing out Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Bray will also build the best defense the limited NIL money OSU has can buy
If you were a true Beaver fan, you wouldn't be heading to the Duck Store to buy UO garb. You'd take the money you would be spending there and donating it to OSU or the athletic department's NIL fund.
There is not a single Beaver fan I have ever encountered that would, under any circumstances, by Duck gear. I call BS on your post. If booing a coach is worth the price of admission to your rival's game, go for it, but you better be wearing Beaver gear while you do.
I would never be caught dead wearing any Duck gear at anytime . Although I watch the game last on TV to root against MSU,, if I went to Eugene for the game, I would wear my favorite Beaver Ball cap
Do you have a degree from OSU? Sitting in the doctor's office right now. My Mom the duck and I talking about the game. Asked her if she would watch the game tonight. She said she might flip to the game a few times. My Mom is a saint. Told her I would never ever root for the ducks. What is wrong with you that you would waste good money buying duck gear.
I agree. As much as I don’t like what Smith did to the Beavers, I would really enjoy watching the ducks lose. Not gonna happen though. I’ll watch mostly because I bet on MSU to cover.
Listen up fellow commenters: a) Jonathan Smith is a good man, one you would be proud to have in your family. b) unless he did something personal that hurt you, and I am not talking about changing jobs in the college football s***show, he merits respect and civilized treatment as all do who are innocent of "a)". So please, friends, lighten up a bit and let's all set back and watch, like it was a regular old fashioned football season. Just sayin', Charlie
As a Wazzu fan, I know what OSU fan is going through. It sucks, but it’s reality. If I was in their shoes I would boo like hell prior to the game and then root for Smith to beat the Ducks. Unfortunately, I think the Ducks will smoke the Spartans.
I am still puzzled why Smith chose Michigan State. I know he took the first opportunity he had to get out of Corvallis, but jeesh Michigan State? Scandal U? Larry Nassar, Mel Tucker, MSU football players attacking Michigan football players in the tunnel at the Big House, Mark Dantonio’s multiple recruiting violations (lead to him quitting) and at least 16 former players under his watch accused of sexual misconduct, etc. Tom Izzo is no saint either. I have said that Oregon and UW will have issues in the Big 10 because they don’t cheat (or at least don’t get caught) like most of the other schools.
Well played, Ed. You just listed all the reasons MSU recruited Jonathan and why he responded. Excellent article laying it all out a month ago in ESPN Web or The Athletic. In my dotage I can't remember which.
Nice story! The thing that burns with me and many other Beaver faithful is not that he left, but how he left. The story goes that he told the team during last year’s Civil War game which may explain their performance in that game since they were probably in shock at that news. If he had given notice that he will leave AFTER that game and season were ended, it would’ve been so much better. As it was, he left Beaver Nation with a lot of feelings of betrayal and anger. We expected and deserved better from him. Just as Bill Buckner is mostly remembered for a critical error during the 86 World Series despite a great career, it will take a lot of time for Smith to be remembered for things other than his departure.
What explained their performance that day was they were up against a Duck team that was significantly better than they were. That game was always gonna be a major blowout
John, this is an excellent essay that frames decisions made and how they affect people in the wake. Smith made his decision, and he has to live with it and his $. Rueck made his decision to stay, and he will rebuild and return to the NCAA tourney—eventually. These two coaches couldn’t be more different in personality, values or record of achievement. While I don’t wish Smith any ill (well not too much anyway), I respect and appreciate what Scott has done and what he will do going forward. Thanks for the great piece!
-- With very few exceptions, college football coaches are hired guns. They're there to do a job. If they get a better job offer, they're gone.
-- Most of the fans who get upset when a successful coach leaves are the same ones who would be screaming for his head after an unsuccessful season or two.
Well played, Ken. To quote the mafia "it's a business, Charlie". In all these months of reading all this animosity toward Jonathan, I have yet to hear any of those complaining say anything about what an outstanding (spelled academic) institution Oregon State University is. Where are our collective priorities? Just Sayin', Charlie
JC - A bit confused by this column. You seem conflicted - do I like Smith or do I not for what he did? That last line left me very puzzled. Yes, w all move on and for many different reasons - money, geography, opportunity for growth, freedom of expression (in your case with this column). But there are good and bad ways to move on. Smith chose a bad way.
And I don't know if you have ever heard one of my favorite Jon Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles songs, "Yes you can go home". Check it out on YouTube
Unfortunately there is no “good way” to leave a coaching job unless it’s retirement. We have seen this over and over again across the country. Duck fans have experienced it a few times. Not saying Smith couldn’t have done it somewhat better, but no matter how he did it, most Beaver fans would be very angry and disappointed, understandably so.
"A bit confused by this column. You seem conflicted - do I like Smith or do I not for what he did?"
I think that's the point. Unless you're an angry, jilted Beaver fan (which is totally understandable, just like fans of any other team have felt at one point or another), there's no black-and-white way to look at this situation.
Great article, John...thank you for chasing him down in the tunnel and getting some answers from him. I don't blame him for leaving, just don't like that he tried to take all of the coaches and good players. Appreciate Bray for staying and things are def looking better for both the Beavs and Pac 12.
What keeps getting lost in "how" Smith left are the facts he #1 , never even told OSU and the fans he still loved OSU, wouldn't have left if the situation hadn't changed, etc. Yes, we know all that stuff but he just turned his back, flipped us 2 middle fingers as walked out the door like none of us ever mattered. He showed ZERO respect or humility when he left, and to this day has never tried to right his wrong. #2 on top of all.that he did all he could to decimate the program as he flipped us the double bird. He not only took aa many players with him as he could, but the audacity to double back and try to talk players out of staying that had already made the decision to stay isca special level of asshole.
These 2 things might sound trivial to some, "you're upset because he didn't beg your forgiveness before he left!" It's about showing OSU the respect it earned and deserved from one of its own, who had supported and worshipped him his entire career. He owed us that to show us he cared. Instead, he ignored us and to this day continues to ignore is like we never existed. So no, I will never give him a pass or let it go. As others have said, he is dead to me and I will never welcome that little prick back to the OSU family. As has also been said so many times, it's not usually what you do but how you do it. He left OSU in about the most classless way imaginable. I wish his career nothing but the worst, he's earned it.
The fact is, objectively, OSU benefited from hiring JS, both during his tenure and in terms of positioning of the program to better survive re-alignment. He brought the program that Gary Andersen destroyed back from the dead. I don't know that any of the other candidates for the HC job at the time would've done anywhere near as well. Assuming that's true, if OSU was still a losing, moribund football program when this realignment earthquake took place, we wouldn't have been looking at any prospect at all of a winning season this year, or, more importantly, of re-building the PAC12 and bringing in new members at the level we have thus far. I don't think I'm overstating the importance of JS's results at OSU to enable OSU's next steps toward a decent position in the CFB world as opposed to plummeting in stature.
I was pissed at the way Smith went about leaving and taking key players with him. That aside. Ask yourself, when he left were we better off than we would've been if he'd never been the HC? Yeah, one can't predict what would've been had someone else gotten the job, but my gut says it wasn't going to have been better.
Go Beavs! Beat Colorado State! Out with the old, in with the new.
Smith told us this was his “dream job.” Smith told us he wanted to “win a Rose Bowl” at Oregon State. What we found out is that he’s an insecure, money chasing, and poor at reading a fan base. Had he stayed the signal that would have sent about the legitimacy of the Pac-2 would have been huge.
As a lifelong Beaver fan I knew Smith would eventually leave. They all do. The manner in which you leave reflects so much more on you than when you arrive. And because of that, I will never welcome Smith back or root for him.
Yeah I heard the "dream job" b.s a few years earlier when Sarkisian was hired at Washington. Then the first opportunity he decided to join the prophylactics in L.A. It's stunning how a "dream job" can disintegrate into nothingness when prompted by greener pastures and more money.
Have never met Jonathan, but did have the pleasure of meeting Robin. It was shortly after Jonathan had led the Beavs to the Fiesta Bowl win over the Domers. Her most memorable comment "His athletic ability he got from his father. Going in the huddle and telling all those guys what to do? Definitely from me!" His exit from OSU (and the Pac-Dead) was not elegant. But one of the best pieces of advice I ever received was that the most important enterprise for you to worry about is not the company you work for, nor is it the company you want to work for. It is your career. Would he have been a shoe in as the new HC for the mongrels up north? Perhaps. Would UCLA have been a better job than Michigan State? I'm very skeptical. He made a decent decision, just had poor execution.
I did not know that Smith's family on his father's side were from Oregon. This makes his decision to go to MSU even more confounding and really, inexcusable for a state and school that gave him all his best career opportunities, from the time he played QB. This move was totally driven by ego, not by money, since Barnes gave Smith the same type of offer he took at MSU. He looks less and less classy as time goes on and more facts are revealed.
I am a beaver fan, not an alumni. That stated I have heavy academic ties to the university, and many family members who graduated from there. My take on the animosity towards Smith is threefold …
1: he was seemingly dishonest to his players, and the fans about his intentions at OSU. His leaving felt a little like the Mayflower trucks hauling all the gear from Baltimore to Indianapolis in the dead of night for the Irsays. Just ick.
2: he felt like the”forever” type coach…someone who would put roots down and be here for another decade. He was the OSU guy.
3: his abrupt exit, at likely the most perilous time in OSU athletics history felt like both an indictment and an abandonment. A “nail in the coffin”.
I hope OSU extends and pays Bray. He feels like the guy that OSU hoped Smith would be.
Baltimore native here, and old enough to have spent many childhood Sunday afternoons in Memorial Stadium cheering for the horseshoed helmets. Reading that brought back one of my most painful childhood memories.
I understand why JS made the choice he did, and I'm certainly not going to act like I would have done differently were I in that circumstance. But you are spot on when saying his leaving for greener pastures was not under the typical circumstances we see coaches bolt at the drop of a hat. I won't criticize OSU fans for feeling however they want about him, his decision and the manner in which he handled it given the vulnerable moment at which it occurred.
Scott Rueck is a True Beaver….In life we come across many storms…What defines us is do we run away from the storms or do we hit them head and move forward..Smith ran like a little Coward while Rueck embraced the stormed with loyalty and Class…Go Beavs
Jonathan Smith is a class act. He poured many years of his life into Oregon State University, including the terrific 11-season when he was behind center. He took a new job, and looked out for his immediate family and their future when doing so. Can’t fault a guy for that. And yes, UW would have taken Smith in a heartbeat if the stars would have aligned. His OC work under Petersen was impressive. I hope Jonathan makes it back to Husky nation in years to come.
By what definition of "Class"? Not so much. "Looked out for his family"....Smith got the same offer from OSU he took at MSU. This was about his ego (to be in the B1G) not about financial security. I mean, how much is enough?! He was already guaranteed over $100M in lifetime earnings. Think that might be enough?
Brian, he was offered a much better job.
I understand your frustration that he took it but even if the Pac 12. Had stayed together, this would have been a good opportunity.
I appreciate your tone, but it simply is untrue what you say. MSU is a big mess. They have been in the middle to lower end of the B1G even before the PAC12 teams were added. It is unlikely Smith will accomplish anything there, will not get an offer at an Ohio State or Penn State, and he will be gone in a couple of years since the locals have no loyalty to him. He is just a carpet-bagger in Michigan. Sorry, you normally have good takes, but not this time.
Eh. Considering that MSU made the CFB when it only took 4 teams, I'm going to go out on a limb and say Sparty will make the CFB again before OR St. does a first time.
Eh? Oregon State made the Rose Bowl when there were only 4 major bowl games. OSU was ranked #4 in 2001 which is one spot below MSU which was #3 in 2013 and OSU was ranked #13 towards the end of 2023 in a year when MSU went 4-8. Both teams have storied histories and have had good runs, MSU under Mark Dantonio with none before or since, unless you count the outlier #8 spot in 2021, under Mel Tucker who had a good year or two, feeding off the remnants of Dantonio. There is no reason Oregon State can't make another run to the top with the right head coach, which Bray might be. Boise State has had decades of top level performance from the MWC, so conference is not a big factor. Oregon State is a large university, has good alumni support and could find someone to fund a larger NIL in the near future, something MSU also needs and does not have in this modern era (NIL is the entire game; get enough money to buy 4 and 5 stars who will jump to whoever offers the most and anyone can build a national championship team, maybe even a Wyoming). OSU has competition for players and media nearby at Oregon as does MSU from Michigan. They are comparable situations. So your projection has no significance and is just your not very well informed opinion.
Well played, Jack. In reality it is none of our (deleted) business if you stop and think about it.
Ah The smell of salt air and a memory too good..
I don’t hold it against a coach moving on in the name of opportunity…in general. It is how they handle their exit that is a mark of their integrity and DNA. Smith handled his departure very poorly at best. Telling his team two days before they played the CW was ill-timed and demoralizing. Other actions were not welcomed.
100% disagree that this was a postive for his immediate family. I have friends and co-workers that live in Corvallis that were his neighbors, knew their family or played youth sports or other community orgs with them. Their kids loved Corvallis and were very entrenched there. Heard their kids being pulled out of schools and activities was disruptive for them. Sure that is the reality of the coaching world but his move is far from doing what’s best for the family.
When Rueck talks, I FEEL his emotion forever the team and school and it reminds me why I love Oregon State.
JS just interviewed and gave the most bland discussion of the Oregon State... He described Brays team as "a good football team", and generic discussion about the team. for anyone that listened to JS over the years, it was the exact same thing he said in interviews for every single opponent. He basically showed, even now, there is nothing more special in his heart for the Beavs than any other random team out there.
He needs to stay out of Corvallis
Smith is socially awkward and is not the most eloquent person. Bray had him best in external persona skills and how he shows up.
100%
John -
Jonathan Smith "dropped my baby." Story Time.
It wasn't highly publicized, but JS broke his hand or wrist during the Fiesta Bowl. I know this because I attended the Pep Rally at Gill Coliseum after the Fiesta Bowl win with my infant son, Cooper. At the pep rally, when the crowd yelled "Hooooosh," I looked down at my son, and dreamed of someday sitting in that same building and hearing "Cooooooop!"
I have photos with Coach Erickson holding Cooper, LB James Allen holding Cooper, and Jonathan Smith, cast and all, holding Cooper. Jonathan's mother was nearby as I snapped the picture. As Jonathan took hold of Coop, his mother snapped: "Don't you drop that baby, Jonathan!"
As JS progressed through his coaching career in Montana, Boise and Seattle, each time there was an opening, I hoped he would come home. When he finally came home in late 2017, I was ecstatic. This was the guy to return the Beavers to relevance (again).
In the spring of 2018, I ran into Jonathan outside of Reser Stadium. I was going to Samaritan Sports Medicine and he had just finished up a phone call that he was taking in the parking lot.
We had a short (90 seconds?) chat, and I told him about the picture with my son in 2001. He laughed and said he remembered that. We parted ways, he towards the Valley Football Center, and me to get my quarterly cortisone injection in my right knee. As he walked away, I said "Jonathan, don't drop my baby" and pointed towards Reser Stadium. He chuckled and went on.
In May of 2018, my son passed away....my baby was gone. June of that year, I ventured to Omaha and exploded with tears as the Beavers overcame adversity and defeated Arkansas. That night, in the celebration at the hotel, I got a private moment with Coach Casey...who I had talked to when he was at George Fox and I was thinking about attending to play some baseball for him...I told him the heartbreak I was dealing with, and how for a brief moment, I wasn't hurting.
Sports became my distraction from grief.
That Fall, the JS program began to resurrect Beaver Football...it became competitive again, and FUN.
As Jonathan spoke, I felt like he valued our "BABY" the same way I and the rest of us in Beaver Nation did.
Last year, as the PAC crumbled, I was reminded of those moments with Jonathan, and privately whispered "don't drop the baby, Jonathan"...and then he bailed.
That Civil War at Autzen, which I paid hundreds of $ to attend, was embarrassing. The team looked unprepared and uninspired. I had beers that night at "The Favorite Mistake" in Albany, and one of the assistant coaches came in. Without saying so directly, he hinted that Smith was leaving and had already told a few members of the staff and team. The next morning, Smith was gone.
There were better ways to leave. He didn't need to gut the program, he was going to be blessed with money in his pocket, and seemingly unlimited resources. He could have remained focused on the Ducks for a week before bailing after the CW a few days later.
As much as I loved what he did for Beaver Nation in 1998 to 2001, and again from 2017 to 2023.....as much as I admired his story of being mistaken for the "equipment manager" then rising to be a successful P5 QB and then successful coaching career.
He dropped OUR baby...I will never forgive him.
Powerful. Thanks for sharing.
As a OSU graduate and long time die-hard beaver fan, and Christian, Given his past efforts to rebuild our team, I can forgive JS for bailing on us and gutting the program of talent, but I will remain disappointed. Unfortunately I couldn’t help but cheer on the Ducks over their big win last night.
Been a huge Beaver fan my entire 41 year life. Never have i rooted for the ducks to win a game in any sport until today. I currently am headed to the duck store for duck gear before heading south to Eugene to boo Smith and hope the ducks brutally embarrass he and his team. Run them out of Autzen.
You are a sad sad Beaver fan. You must have loved Mike Reilly killing the program. Imagine being a grown man and going to your longtime opponent’s game to boo the guy who brought OSU back from the grave. Please consider getting a life. Salty OSU fans like you need to move on.
This same man, told us all he had his dream job. Had us convinced he was with us for the long haul. But bolted in one of our darkest hours. When we needed him most. Not only he, but he took everyone he could with him. Sounds like a saint to me.
Agree, not exactly Winston Churchill like. There is a reason the term “long suffering Beaver fan” was coined. Over and over, just when things started going good, the good got going…Tommy Prothro…Dennis Erickson…Mike Riley…Smith…Joe Avezz..never mind. For Smith to leave after mailing in his last CW, the way he left, left deep wounds for us LSBF’s.
My wish today, John, let this be your last piece on Smith’s departure.
AMEN!
He is Dead to me. I don't care how he does at MSU.
Trent Bray ALL DAM DAYYY!!! GOOOOO BEAVS!!!
The circumstances had changed drastically
Your parents told you there was a guy named Santa Claus too. Ho! Ho! Ho!
I think there are a lot of sad Beaver fans, then.
Why are you here? Troll.
I applaud the guy. Coach dumb dumb deserves every boo he gets at Autzen.
Well played, E. Charlie
Spelled Riley wrong. Obviously do not follow the Beavers. Mike, a Corvallis native, was great. But he was not perfect, as Nebraska showed. He has a certain offensive philosophy that really works with the right type of players (spread option offense) but his Defenses were never any good. That was his deficiency before and after Erickson. Dennis Erickson built a GREAT defense in 2000 and that is why they ended up #4 in the country after blowing out Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Bray will also build the best defense the limited NIL money OSU has can buy
Riley killed the program? How?
I think most of that is 100% logical, but why in the world would you buy and wear Duck gear?
Yeah... I want both teams to lose, is that possible?
If you were a true Beaver fan, you wouldn't be heading to the Duck Store to buy UO garb. You'd take the money you would be spending there and donating it to OSU or the athletic department's NIL fund.
There is not a single Beaver fan I have ever encountered that would, under any circumstances, by Duck gear. I call BS on your post. If booing a coach is worth the price of admission to your rival's game, go for it, but you better be wearing Beaver gear while you do.
I would never be caught dead wearing any Duck gear at anytime . Although I watch the game last on TV to root against MSU,, if I went to Eugene for the game, I would wear my favorite Beaver Ball cap
Do you have a degree from OSU? Sitting in the doctor's office right now. My Mom the duck and I talking about the game. Asked her if she would watch the game tonight. She said she might flip to the game a few times. My Mom is a saint. Told her I would never ever root for the ducks. What is wrong with you that you would waste good money buying duck gear.
I agree. As much as I don’t like what Smith did to the Beavers, I would really enjoy watching the ducks lose. Not gonna happen though. I’ll watch mostly because I bet on MSU to cover.
Listen up fellow commenters: a) Jonathan Smith is a good man, one you would be proud to have in your family. b) unless he did something personal that hurt you, and I am not talking about changing jobs in the college football s***show, he merits respect and civilized treatment as all do who are innocent of "a)". So please, friends, lighten up a bit and let's all set back and watch, like it was a regular old fashioned football season. Just sayin', Charlie
Hope MSU scores zero, gets blasted by 8 TDs by UO and never returns to the state of Oregon.
innocent of "b)".
As a Wazzu fan, I know what OSU fan is going through. It sucks, but it’s reality. If I was in their shoes I would boo like hell prior to the game and then root for Smith to beat the Ducks. Unfortunately, I think the Ducks will smoke the Spartans.
I am still puzzled why Smith chose Michigan State. I know he took the first opportunity he had to get out of Corvallis, but jeesh Michigan State? Scandal U? Larry Nassar, Mel Tucker, MSU football players attacking Michigan football players in the tunnel at the Big House, Mark Dantonio’s multiple recruiting violations (lead to him quitting) and at least 16 former players under his watch accused of sexual misconduct, etc. Tom Izzo is no saint either. I have said that Oregon and UW will have issues in the Big 10 because they don’t cheat (or at least don’t get caught) like most of the other schools.
Go Cougs.
Well he is good at rebuilding teams, perhaps he saw the challenge.
Don't forget Chip Kelly's famous line, "We call him Will".
Well played, Ed. You just listed all the reasons MSU recruited Jonathan and why he responded. Excellent article laying it all out a month ago in ESPN Web or The Athletic. In my dotage I can't remember which.
Nice story! The thing that burns with me and many other Beaver faithful is not that he left, but how he left. The story goes that he told the team during last year’s Civil War game which may explain their performance in that game since they were probably in shock at that news. If he had given notice that he will leave AFTER that game and season were ended, it would’ve been so much better. As it was, he left Beaver Nation with a lot of feelings of betrayal and anger. We expected and deserved better from him. Just as Bill Buckner is mostly remembered for a critical error during the 86 World Series despite a great career, it will take a lot of time for Smith to be remembered for things other than his departure.
What explained their performance that day was they were up against a Duck team that was significantly better than they were. That game was always gonna be a major blowout
John, this is an excellent essay that frames decisions made and how they affect people in the wake. Smith made his decision, and he has to live with it and his $. Rueck made his decision to stay, and he will rebuild and return to the NCAA tourney—eventually. These two coaches couldn’t be more different in personality, values or record of achievement. While I don’t wish Smith any ill (well not too much anyway), I respect and appreciate what Scott has done and what he will do going forward. Thanks for the great piece!
Smith has no regrets leaving. The typical behavior of some one on the low empathy scale.
A couple thoughts:
-- With very few exceptions, college football coaches are hired guns. They're there to do a job. If they get a better job offer, they're gone.
-- Most of the fans who get upset when a successful coach leaves are the same ones who would be screaming for his head after an unsuccessful season or two.
Well played, Ken. To quote the mafia "it's a business, Charlie". In all these months of reading all this animosity toward Jonathan, I have yet to hear any of those complaining say anything about what an outstanding (spelled academic) institution Oregon State University is. Where are our collective priorities? Just Sayin', Charlie
Oh so true…
JC - A bit confused by this column. You seem conflicted - do I like Smith or do I not for what he did? That last line left me very puzzled. Yes, w all move on and for many different reasons - money, geography, opportunity for growth, freedom of expression (in your case with this column). But there are good and bad ways to move on. Smith chose a bad way.
And I don't know if you have ever heard one of my favorite Jon Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles songs, "Yes you can go home". Check it out on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CeX5VEo10c
You simply need to do it the right way when you leave.
Unfortunately there is no “good way” to leave a coaching job unless it’s retirement. We have seen this over and over again across the country. Duck fans have experienced it a few times. Not saying Smith couldn’t have done it somewhat better, but no matter how he did it, most Beaver fans would be very angry and disappointed, understandably so.
"A bit confused by this column. You seem conflicted - do I like Smith or do I not for what he did?"
I think that's the point. Unless you're an angry, jilted Beaver fan (which is totally understandable, just like fans of any other team have felt at one point or another), there's no black-and-white way to look at this situation.
BTW Great song and video! Thank you.
Great article, John...thank you for chasing him down in the tunnel and getting some answers from him. I don't blame him for leaving, just don't like that he tried to take all of the coaches and good players. Appreciate Bray for staying and things are def looking better for both the Beavs and Pac 12.
What keeps getting lost in "how" Smith left are the facts he #1 , never even told OSU and the fans he still loved OSU, wouldn't have left if the situation hadn't changed, etc. Yes, we know all that stuff but he just turned his back, flipped us 2 middle fingers as walked out the door like none of us ever mattered. He showed ZERO respect or humility when he left, and to this day has never tried to right his wrong. #2 on top of all.that he did all he could to decimate the program as he flipped us the double bird. He not only took aa many players with him as he could, but the audacity to double back and try to talk players out of staying that had already made the decision to stay isca special level of asshole.
These 2 things might sound trivial to some, "you're upset because he didn't beg your forgiveness before he left!" It's about showing OSU the respect it earned and deserved from one of its own, who had supported and worshipped him his entire career. He owed us that to show us he cared. Instead, he ignored us and to this day continues to ignore is like we never existed. So no, I will never give him a pass or let it go. As others have said, he is dead to me and I will never welcome that little prick back to the OSU family. As has also been said so many times, it's not usually what you do but how you do it. He left OSU in about the most classless way imaginable. I wish his career nothing but the worst, he's earned it.
You're blocking. Let it out. Tell us how you really feel.
Lol!! Good one Chuck, I needed that laugh!!
I find this Irish folk blessing has always been comforting in troubled circumstances.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
and the road rise up to break the ankles of your enemies.
I hadn't heard that one before. I love it!! Lol
I've moved on.
The fact is, objectively, OSU benefited from hiring JS, both during his tenure and in terms of positioning of the program to better survive re-alignment. He brought the program that Gary Andersen destroyed back from the dead. I don't know that any of the other candidates for the HC job at the time would've done anywhere near as well. Assuming that's true, if OSU was still a losing, moribund football program when this realignment earthquake took place, we wouldn't have been looking at any prospect at all of a winning season this year, or, more importantly, of re-building the PAC12 and bringing in new members at the level we have thus far. I don't think I'm overstating the importance of JS's results at OSU to enable OSU's next steps toward a decent position in the CFB world as opposed to plummeting in stature.
I was pissed at the way Smith went about leaving and taking key players with him. That aside. Ask yourself, when he left were we better off than we would've been if he'd never been the HC? Yeah, one can't predict what would've been had someone else gotten the job, but my gut says it wasn't going to have been better.
Go Beavs! Beat Colorado State! Out with the old, in with the new.
Smith told us this was his “dream job.” Smith told us he wanted to “win a Rose Bowl” at Oregon State. What we found out is that he’s an insecure, money chasing, and poor at reading a fan base. Had he stayed the signal that would have sent about the legitimacy of the Pac-2 would have been huge.
As a lifelong Beaver fan I knew Smith would eventually leave. They all do. The manner in which you leave reflects so much more on you than when you arrive. And because of that, I will never welcome Smith back or root for him.
Yeah I heard the "dream job" b.s a few years earlier when Sarkisian was hired at Washington. Then the first opportunity he decided to join the prophylactics in L.A. It's stunning how a "dream job" can disintegrate into nothingness when prompted by greener pastures and more money.
What a burden!
Winning a Rose Bowl at Oregon State became impossible as soon as it became a permanent playoff game starting with the 2023 season
Have never met Jonathan, but did have the pleasure of meeting Robin. It was shortly after Jonathan had led the Beavs to the Fiesta Bowl win over the Domers. Her most memorable comment "His athletic ability he got from his father. Going in the huddle and telling all those guys what to do? Definitely from me!" His exit from OSU (and the Pac-Dead) was not elegant. But one of the best pieces of advice I ever received was that the most important enterprise for you to worry about is not the company you work for, nor is it the company you want to work for. It is your career. Would he have been a shoe in as the new HC for the mongrels up north? Perhaps. Would UCLA have been a better job than Michigan State? I'm very skeptical. He made a decent decision, just had poor execution.
Love that.
I did not know that Smith's family on his father's side were from Oregon. This makes his decision to go to MSU even more confounding and really, inexcusable for a state and school that gave him all his best career opportunities, from the time he played QB. This move was totally driven by ego, not by money, since Barnes gave Smith the same type of offer he took at MSU. He looks less and less classy as time goes on and more facts are revealed.
I am a beaver fan, not an alumni. That stated I have heavy academic ties to the university, and many family members who graduated from there. My take on the animosity towards Smith is threefold …
1: he was seemingly dishonest to his players, and the fans about his intentions at OSU. His leaving felt a little like the Mayflower trucks hauling all the gear from Baltimore to Indianapolis in the dead of night for the Irsays. Just ick.
2: he felt like the”forever” type coach…someone who would put roots down and be here for another decade. He was the OSU guy.
3: his abrupt exit, at likely the most perilous time in OSU athletics history felt like both an indictment and an abandonment. A “nail in the coffin”.
I hope OSU extends and pays Bray. He feels like the guy that OSU hoped Smith would be.
Baltimore native here, and old enough to have spent many childhood Sunday afternoons in Memorial Stadium cheering for the horseshoed helmets. Reading that brought back one of my most painful childhood memories.
I understand why JS made the choice he did, and I'm certainly not going to act like I would have done differently were I in that circumstance. But you are spot on when saying his leaving for greener pastures was not under the typical circumstances we see coaches bolt at the drop of a hat. I won't criticize OSU fans for feeling however they want about him, his decision and the manner in which he handled it given the vulnerable moment at which it occurred.