Oregon State Hires DC Trent Bray to Take Over As Head Coach

Trent Bray will take over as head coach of the Beavers following the departure of Jonathan Smith.

Oregon State is promoting from within for the program’s next head football coach.

The Beavers announced Tuesday evening that defensive coordinator Trent Bray would be elevated to head coach following the departure of Jonathan Smith, who left Corvallis to take up the head coaching gig at Michigan State.

Smith agreed to become the head coach of the Spartans shortly after the conclusion of Oregon State’s regular season, which ended on a loss in the Civil War rivalry game against Oregon.

Bray has been the Beavers’ defensive coordinator since 2021. Bray, who is in his second coaching stint with the university, was a graduate assistant from 2012-14 before leaving for Nebraska, where he served as the linebackers coach from 2015-17. He returned to Corvallis in 2018, where he was the linebackers coach up until his promotion to defensive coordinator. 

A former linebacker for the Beavers, Bray featured in 49 games for Oregon State throughout his playing career from 2002-05.

Oregon State Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Barnes issued a statement on Tuesday evening announcing the hire of Bray.

“I'm excited to be able to announce Trent as our next head coach. After interviewing several qualified candidates, we realized our top choice, Trent, has already been a mainstay at the Valley Football Center and Reser Stadium. He's been a part of Beaver Nation for a long time and love for this place is real. The connection and trust he has built with our student athletes is unmatched. His energy and determination as head coach will be a catalyst for continued program success,” said Barnes.

Bray is set to become the 32nd head coach in Oregon State football history.