Jonathan Smith is the 17th Oregon State football coach to start an era during the past 100 years. Their first seasons, and first games have been all over the map. While many took over the program clearly in a rebuilding phase – as is the case for Jonathan Smith this season – some inherited teams with promise. The first-year records range from winless to winning.
The record for first-year OSU coaches in their debut game is 10-5-1. No pressure, Mr. Smith. However, no first-year Beaver coach has faced an opening opponent as daunting and as highly-rated as Ohio State.