LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville football coach John L. Smith will accept the head coaching job at Michigan State, possibly sometime this week, ESPN has learned.

Earlier this week, Michigan State asked and received permission to talk to Smith about the Spartans' coaching job, which became vacant when Bobby Williams was fired Nov. 4 during a 4-8 season, the school's worst since 1991.

The Cardinals played Marshall in the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Wednesday night. Louisville athletics director Tom Jurich, who was attending the game, was contacted by Michigan State about Smith.

Louisville lost to Marshall 38-15.

The Cardinals were 41-20 under Smith heading into Wednesday night's game. They reached a bowl game in each of Smith's five seasons.

Louisville won its second straight Conference USA championship and finished 11-2 in 2001 but went a disappointing 7-5 in 2002.

Smith, 54, signed an eight-year contract with Louisville in 2000.