Jonathan Smith to MSU; 5 Oregon State head coach candidates
CORVALLIS, Ore. (BVM) – Although the Oregon State Beavers have had a strong 8-4 season in 2023, they have become one of the latest Power 5 teams in the market for a new head coach as Jonathan Smith was hired by Michigan State this past weekend.
Smith, who played quarterback for the Beavers over two decades ago, became Oregon State’s head coach in 2017 and spent six seasons leading his alma mater. While the team struggled in his first three years back in Corvallis, the 44-year-old sparked a turnaround for the Beavers as Oregon State has gone 25-13 over the past three seasons. That was highlighted by a 10-3 campaign last year in which the Beavers earned a win in the Las Vegas Bowl.
In 2023, Oregon State continued its success with an 8-2 start and was as high as No. 11 in the College Football Playoff rankings before recent losses to Washington and Oregon.
While uncertainty remains regarding Oregon State’s future as the Pac-12 dissolves, a program that is seemingly on the rise with a roster full of talent makes the Beavers’ head-coaching vacancy intriguing. Here are five candidates who could become the next head coach at Oregon State.
