Big Ten Team Suffers Key Transfer Loss Following Coaching Shift
Michigan State University is making headlines following a significant shift in leadership. The school recently fired head coach Jonathan Smith after a challenging 2025 season, which concluded with a disappointing 4-8 record and a 1-8 performance in the Big Ten conference.
Coaching Change at Michigan State
Athletic director J Batt announced the coaching change, emphasizing the need for a new direction for the program. Smith, who had a six-year coaching stint at Oregon State and joined Michigan State in 2024, ends his two years in East Lansing with a 9-15 overall record. Reports suggest that Smith is owed over $30 million as part of his seven-year contract, excluding costs for hiring a new coach.
Key Transfer Loss for the Spartans
Just hours after the coaching announcement, a significant transfer loss materialized. Running back Makhi Frazier, who led the Spartans in rushing this season, announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Frazier, a physical runner standing 5’10” and weighing 218 pounds, accumulated 520 rushing yards with two touchdowns over nine games this season, averaging approximately 4.5 yards per carry.
Impact on the Roster
- Frazier’s statistics: 116 carries for 520 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
- Elijah Tau-Tolliver, the second-leading rusher, is a senior with 428 yards and two touchdowns on 72 carries.
- Together, the two players are responsible for nearly 1,000 rushing yards now needing replacement.
Frazier came to Michigan State as a three-star recruit from McKinney, Texas, drawing interest from several schools, including Arkansas and Missouri. With two years of eligibility left, he is set to be an attractive prospect in the transfer portal.
Looking Ahead
Despite concluding the season with a 38-28 victory against Maryland, which ended an eight-game losing streak, Michigan State failed to secure a bowl game. As the program navigates this coaching transition and faces a potential void in rushing talent, the focus will be on quickly rebuilding and reconnecting with the Spartan fan base.
