Oregon State Parts Ways with Head Coach Trent Bray After Disastrous 0-7 Start – But Was It the Right Call?
Oregon State University has made the tough decision to fire head football coach Trent Bray following a winless 0-7 start to the season, according to a source familiar with the situation. The move comes after a crushing loss to Wake Forest, cementing the Beavers’ status as the only winless team in the FBS this year.
Here’s the shocking part: Bray isn’t just any coach—he’s a former Oregon State linebacker (2002-2005) and a longtime staff member with over a decade of service across two separate stints. His dismissal marks the end of an era for a program now facing its worst season opener since 1991.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Just last week, Bray fired his special teams coordinator in an attempt to salvage the season. Yet, with no improvement, the university decided a full reset was necessary. Was this a premature move, or was Bray simply out of his depth as head coach?
The financial fallout: Bray’s contract includes a buyout of just under $4 million, but there’s a catch—it will be paid in installments over the next two years, and any earnings from his next coaching job will reduce the amount Oregon State owes. (Side note: This is a common but often criticized clause in coaching contracts—should schools really have to keep paying fired coaches if they land new gigs?)
A steep decline in just two seasons: Promoted from defensive coordinator after Jonathan Smith’s departure to Michigan State, Bray finished his brief tenure with a 5-14 overall record. Smith, in contrast, led the Beavers to an 8-4 finish and a fourth-place Pac-12 standing in his final year—before the conference’s collapse sent the program into chaos.
The loyalty factor: Bray’s deep ties to Oregon State make this firing particularly painful. He first joined the staff in 2012, left briefly, then returned in 2018 as defensive coordinator. His defensive expertise was unquestioned, but head coaching requires a different skill set—one that, in this case, didn’t translate to wins.
What’s next? The Beavers will face FCS opponent Lafayette next weekend. Will an interim coach spark a turnaround, or is this season already a lost cause?
Now, we want to hear from you: Was firing Bray the right move, or should Oregon State have given him more time to rebuild? And does loyalty to a program outweigh on-field results? Sound off in the comments!**
