A shocking turn of events has rocked the world of college football, as Oregon State University's football program has made a bold move to shake things up. The Beavers have fired their head coach, Trent Bray, after a string of disappointing losses and a crisis-ridden season.
Oregon State, with a record of 0-7, suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of Wake Forest on Saturday. This loss was just the latest in a series of setbacks, with self-inflicted errors and a lack of effort plaguing the team. Bray, who had previously served as the defensive coordinator, struggled to turn things around, losing 13 out of his final 14 games as head coach.
Hired in 2023 to replace Jonathan Smith, who left for Michigan State, Bray's tenure was short-lived. His contract entitles him to over $4 million from OSU upon his departure.
Despite the team's struggles, Bray was hesitant to make significant changes. It wasn't until last Sunday that he fired special teams coordinator Jamie Christian, even though the Beavers had the worst special teams unit in the entire FBS division. Bray's statement following Christian's dismissal hinted at a need for change, but little did anyone know that it would include his own departure.
Athletic director Scott Barnes had previously expressed high expectations, stating, "my expectations are high, and right now, we are not meeting them." Barnes had been working with Bray to review the program and make immediate changes, but it seems those changes ultimately led to Bray's firing.
Bray's journey as a player and coach is a fascinating one. He starred as a linebacker for the Beavers from 2002 to 2005 and later began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Arizona State. He then returned to Corvallis, working under Mike Riley, before moving to Nebraska and eventually back to OSU under Jonathan Smith.
Bray's overall record as OSU head coach stands at 5-14 across less than two seasons. Now, as the Pac-12 prepares for its first season with a new structure in 2026, the Beavers find themselves in search of a new leader to guide them into an uncertain future.
The impact of this decision will be felt by the players, who now have the option to enter the transfer portal starting Monday. The next game for Oregon State will be against Lafayette on October 18th, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to this major shakeup.
And this is the part most people miss... The decision to fire Bray is a controversial one, with many fans and experts divided on whether it was the right move. Some argue that Bray needed more time to implement his vision, while others believe a fresh start is necessary. What do you think? Should Oregon State have given Bray more time, or was this the right call? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
