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So, John L. Smith is toast, as I predicted. I've been a fan of Smith's and I think most of the griping about him, especially early on, was just idiotic. The only real knock against Smith when he was hired was that his teams weren't know for being disciplined. If you thought he was a bad hire because of that, you get a cookie. Otherwise, you're just a jackass who's trying to look smart in hindsight, so get over yourself. Having played on a team that just wouldn't respond to a good coach I'm more likely to give Smith some slack. But when it comes down to it this team's psyche was made of glass, and that goes on the coach. It has to. The players aren't happy about the firing. Guess what guys? Tough. You had the power to keep your coach's job. And you didn't get it done. Again. And again. And again. Too many heartbreaking losses; the kind of losses that will turn your stomach years later. Frankly, I'm sick of Michigan State football and probably won't watch another game the rest of the year (they are usually on here in MN). If I feel like, how do you think alumni who actually donate feel?

So who becomes the next coach? This article has a few ideas, some of them are even good. But, please, not Brian Kelly (Hotshot young coach + MSU football = pathetic failure) or Ron English (No table scraps from the Wolverines). And, for the love of all that is Sparty, don't hire Mariucci. Don't. Even. Think about it. My pick? I don't care, because this is how I think it's going to unfold:

So how is this going to play out? I'll tell you. MSU loses it's next 2 games against superior teams, but the calls for Smith's head get louder. The Spartans can't pull enough wins out of their last 5 games and don't make a bowl game. Smith is fired. Smith's recruiting gains go out the window, along with his high-octane offense. MSU begins its coaching search, which turns into a pathetic circus. At the end MSU has an unexciting new coach and a new offense, as well as a slew of soon to be broken promises. Spartan football goes into rebuilding mode and is set back a decade. Dire? Maybe, but that's the path this program is on. There's no easy solutions and a new sheriff won't be able to clean up EL overnight.

But maybe I'm wrong.