Two months after Tucker was fired, the Spartans hired Jonathan Smith, then-head coach at Oregon State for six seasons. He brought the majority of his assistant staff from Corvallis to East Lansing along with a number of key offensive pieces— Chiles, a talented but inexperienced sophomore, and two day-one starters in tight end Jack Velling and center Tanner Miller. 

At a press conference following practice, Smith said he knew creating near-perfect chemistry would take time. 

Smith said since the spring, many players have gotten “bigger, faster, stronger and more comfortable." The first camp included over 100 players, something Smith said would make them more competitive with one another for playing time. 

“We know this game," Smith said. "It’s a long season, it’s a physical game and everybody has got to be ready to go."

MSU's wide receiver group, led by veteran Montorie Foster Jr., ran routes and caught passes from Chiles, who has been regarded by coaches and fans as the Spartans' starting quarterback since the very beginning of the Smith era. 

Foster said he "can't wait" to play with Chiles and added that trust and accountability are the two most important aspects of the game between him and the quarterback.

To help ensure everyone is on track and his teammates don’t fall behind, Foster said he’s acted as a mentor and role model for the new players. He said he’s been “showing them the ropes” and letting them know that all the work put in throughout the season is “not easy.”

Smith said this upcoming season will be a fresh start for him and the team and that everyone involved will have to work hard to be successful.

“It’s a new adventure, challenge and opportunity that I’m still excited about,” Smith said. “This opportunity comes with this big operation. A lot of people are involved — coaches and players.”