Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Oregon State hires former Beavers QB Jonathan Smith as coach

In this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015 file photo, Washington offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jonathan Smith looks on during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Utah in Seattle. A person with direct knowledge of the decision says Oregon State has hired Washington co-offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith to be its new head coach. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017 on condition of anonymity because an official announcement was being finalized. (Ted S. Warren / AP)
By Ralph D. Russo Associated Press

Jonathan Smith is returning to where he started.

Washington’s co-offensive coordinator has been hired by Oregon State to be the Beavers’ head coach, the school formally announced Wednesday night.

Oregon State has 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 lower-division Portland State.

Smith is a former Beavers 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.

He also had stops as an assistant at Montana and Idaho. He was a graduate assistant at Oregon State from 2002-03.

“Oregon State University is a special place and I have many memories of being a part of Beaver Nation,” Smith said in a 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 was a walk-on in Corvallis, playing for the Beavers from 1998-2001. He was on Oregon State’s 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, with a 97-yards TD pass to Chad Johnson in 2000.

“We interviewed several qualified candidates and Coach Smith emerged as our top choice,” 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 Anderson stepped down, the Beavers promoted cornerbacks coach Corry Hall as interim head coach. Hall appeared to inspire the team, which challenged Stanford in a close 15-14 loss. And a group of players started an online petition supporting Hall, as well as a Twitter hastag (hash)HALLin.

But Hall’s connection to the players didn’t translate to wins. The Beavers wrapped up the season with a 69-10 loss to rival Oregon in the Civil War rivalry game to finish 1-11 overall and 0-9 in conference.

“I feel very positive about the future of that football team in there,” Hall said following the Civil War loss outside the Beavers’ locker room, “because I know they’ve learned a lot and I know they’ll be in good hands.”

Hall’s status on the staff with Smith as head coach is not known.

“It definitely took a toll on us,” senior linebacker Manase Hungalu said about the season and Andersen’s abrupt departure. “It was definitely a situation you would not want the players to be in halfway through the season. It’s tough for the players, it’s tough for the whole community.”

Edwards ‘in line’ at ASU

A person with direct knowledge of the plan has told The AP that former NFL coach Herm Edwards is in line to become Arizona State’s next coach, pending approval of the university president.

The official spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the deal and official announcement are still being finalized.

Edwards became a surprise candidate to replace Todd Graham after saying on ESPN’s SportsCenter and a Phoenix radio station Wednesday that he was interviewing for the job.

He appears to be in line to get the job, provided President Michael Crow signs off on the deal after returning from China this weekend. An announcement could come early next week.

Edwards has not coached since 2008, when he was fired after a 2-14 season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He also coached the New York Jets from 2001-05 and has spent the last nine years as an analyst for ESPN.

The former NFL defensive back last coached at the college level in 1989, as a cornerbacks coach for San Jose State.

Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson represented Edwards during his days as an agent.

Graham was fired Sunday after six seasons, but will stay on through Arizona State’s bowl game.