Reports: Wayne Tinkle expected to become Oregon State head coach

Oregon State reportedly wanted to fill its head coaching vacancy with a sitting head coach like Montana's Wayne Tinkle. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Oregon State reportedly wanted to fill its head coaching vacancy with a sitting head coach like Montana's Wayne Tinkle. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Oregon State has narrowed its search for a men's basketball head coach down to three finalists, according to multiple reports, and the school could name a new coach as soon as Monday.

CBS Sports' Gary Parrish reported Sunday that Montana head coach Wayne Tinkle is expected to get the job. The Oregonian columnist John Canzano also tweeted Sunday that Tinkle will be named the Beavers' new head coach, citing the team's preference to hire a sitting head coach over an assistant.

Wayne Tinkle will be announced as the men's basketball coach at Oregon State on Monday.

— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) May 19, 2014

Source close to the Oregon State hiring decision says Beavers valued a sitting head coach over an assistant coach.

— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) May 19, 2014

The Oregonian also reported that Syracuse assistant coach Mike Hopkins, the presumed head coach-in-waiting after Jim Boeheim's eventual departure, was a finalist for the Beavers' job. California assistant coach Travis DeCuire was also interviewed for the position. 

Tinkle took Montana to the NCAA tournament in three of his eight seasons coaching the Grizzlies.

Oregon State is replacing Craig Robinson, who was fired earlier this month after six seasons at the helm.

HAMILTON: Why Oregon State fired Craig Robinson >