Jonathan Smith is looking to bring several key assistant coaches from his Oregon State staff with him to Michigan State.

According to Spartan Tailgate’s Justin Thind, Smith is prioritizing Oregon State defensive coordinator Trent Bray, offensive line coach Jim Michalczik, and tight end coach Brian Wozniak for spots on his first MSU staff. Other coaches could make the move to East Lansing as well, according to Thind, but Smith is focused on three big names early on.

Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes said in a statement on Saturday the Beavers would immediately conduct a national search for their next head coach, but Bray figures to get serious consideration for the job.

Like Smith, Bray is a program alum. He’s also viewed as one of the top defensive coordinators in the Pac-12. He was named interim DC in November 2021 and had that tag later removed a month later. Bray spent three seasons at Nebraska (2015-17) working for Mike Riley, but has otherwise spent his entire coaching career in the Pac-12.

Michalczik is also one of the top offensive line coaches in the region. Oregon State’s line was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award earlier this month. Michalczik was at Miami from 1990-91 and then Montana State from 1992-98. He’s been in Pac-12 country ever since.

Wozniak played tight end for Wisconsin. He has been in his current role at Oregon State for six years.

According to Thind, the trio of Bray, Michalczik, and Wozniak was the group of coaches Smith was most afraid of losing to bigger jobs this offseason.

Barnes released a statement earlier this week that made clear Oregon State was working on expanding the salary pool for Smith’s assistants. At Michigan State, Smith is expected to have a larger salary pool than previous coach Mel Tucker had.