Former QB hired by Oregon State
Jonathan Smith is returning to where he started.
Smith, Washington’s co-offensive coordinator, has been hired as the head coach at Oregon State, the school formally announced Wednesday night.
The Beavers have been in the market for a new coach since Gary Andersen surprisingly stepped down in early October after a 1-5 start, with the victory coming over Football Championship Subdivision program Portland State.
Smith is a former Oregon State walk-on quarterback who has been working as quarterbacks coach for coach Chris Petersen since 2012, starting at Boise State and following him to Washington in 2014. Smith, who also had stops as an assistant at Montana and Idaho, was a graduate assistant at Oregon State in 2002 and ’03.
“Oregon State University is a special place, and I have many memories of being a part of Beaver Nation,” Smith said in a released statement. “I played for some of the best coaches I have ever been around and learned many of the qualities I have utilized in my coaching career.”
Smith played for the Beavers from 1998 to 2001 and was part of the 2000 team that went 11-1 and defeated Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl under coach Dennis Erickson.
A fan favorite during his playing days, Smith ranks third on Oregon State’s career list with 55 touchdown passes and 9,680 passing yards. He holds the record for the longest touchdown pass in school history, a 97-yard connection with Chad Johnson in 2000.
“We interviewed several qualified candidates, and Coach Smith emerged as our top choice,” Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes said. “He brings to Oregon State football an impressive plan to build our program. He has a unique perspective on what it means to be a part of Beaver Nation and to be successful for our student-athletes on and off the field.”
After Andersen stepped down, the Beavers promoted cornerbacks coach Corry Hall to interim head coach. Hall appeared to inspire the team, with the Beavers challenging Stanford before losing 15-14, and a group of players started an online petition supporting Hall, as well as a Twitter hastag #HALLin.