Why several Oregon State coaches, players followed Jonathan Smith to Michigan State

A rebuild is never easy in college football, but new Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith got a head start with his rebuild of the Spartans thanks to the loyalty of several assistant coaches and players he had at Oregon State.

In total, six assistant coaches — Brian Lindgren (OC/QBs), Keith Bhonapha (RBs), Jim Michalczik (OL), Brian Wozniak (TEs), Blue Adams (Secondary), Legi Suiaunoa (DL) — and three transfer players (quarterback Aiden Chiles, tight end Jack Velling, offensive lineman Tanner Miller) made the trek from Corvallis, Ore. to East Lansing, Mich.

Here's what a few of those individuals had to say about Jonathan Smith and why they came to Michigan State:

Quarterback Aidan Chiles

"It was a very easy decision for me. It was my coach. I committed to Oregon State as a program at first, and then throughout the entire freshman year I had conversations with Coach Smith the whole time, and we just got closer. He's my coach, so that's why I followed him here. ... He treats everybody the same. Everybody's a player, but everybody's also a person. We're not just players to him, and that's what I like the most. I can talk to him about anything."

Tight End Jack Velling

"It was a big decision, and I talked about it a lot with my family, with loved ones and eventually decided that it was the right decision for me. A little bit of getting used to snow in March, but other than that, it's been great settling in...He's a winner, he's a program-changer, he knows what it takes to win. He's a great guy. The more I get to know him, the better he gets. He cares about his players, his staff. And, me and him, we created a great bond at Oregon State and I wanted to continue it."

Offensive Lineman Tanner Miller

"Growing up on the West Coast, I always wanted to play in the Pac-12, but with everything that transpired — unfortunate, but that's business and that's life. After the season, I sat down with my family and I had an opportunity, and I had a platform for myself to go to a bigger spot. So, I decided to enter my name in the portal and once they hit me up I was like, 'I'm gonna take a trip out there', and it's kind of a no-brainer because I know the culture, I know the system. We're going to hit the ground running, and these guys took a chance on me when no one else did, so I believe in these guys wholeheartedly."

Offensive Line Coach Jim Michalczik

"I think Jonathan does a great job. He's a great coach to work for. He lets us coach, but he's also there to help us. He'll come and say something, and it's usually right on. I think the man he is, the program he runs — for me, it's a no-brainer.

"The chance to come here is pretty cool for me. My mom's an alumni, so I grew up hearing about the Spartans. Even though I was a West Coast kid, spent my whole life on the West Coast, she was always talking about the Spartans and the Big Ten. So, that part of it kind of made it a bonus to me...The people here — it's a neat culture. The people in Michigan are awesome, friendly, so connected to the university, so connected to the program. It's really fun to be a part of it."

Secondary Coach Blue Adams

"When you look at what Coach Smith brings to the table, he's always going to preach a place of substance, getting the best out of young men, helping guys to grow in a day-in, day-out basis as people, as men and then as ball players. Why not? When you look at what he stands for and what he was able to do at the last spot that we were at, it was only fitting that I follow in his footsteps."

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