Oregon State tabs defensive coordinator Trent Bray as new head coach

Oregon State has made a new coaching hire following the departure of Jonathan Smith for Michigan State, promoting defensive coordinator Trent Bray to the head coaching post.

The school announced the news on Tuesday evening.

“I’m excited to be able to announce Trent as our next head coach,” athletics director Scott Barnes said. “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.”

Bray has been on staff at Oregon State for the past six years in a variety of roles, starting as the team’s linebackers coach, progressing to defensive coordinator and now to head coach.

He should help provide some continuity for a program that has emerged as a quality Pac-12 program in recent years.

Bray spent the past two years as the program’s defensive coordinator, and the Beavers have produced a top-40 defense in each of his seasons at the helm.

“I’d like to thank Scott Barnes and President Jayathi Murthy for this opportunity,” Trent Bray said. “I’ve been a part of Oregon State for a long time, as a coach and a student-athlete, and know how special Beaver Nation is. I’m excited to lead an outstanding group of men our fans can be proud of.”

The Trent Bray File

Bray played at Oregon State from 2002-05, starting 34 straight games during his career. He ranks sixth all-time in program history in tackles with 337.

Shortly after Bray’s playing days he got into coaching. Here are his coaching stops prior to his head coaching appointment at Oregon State.

2021-2023 – Oregon State (defensive coordinator, linebackers)
2018-21 – Oregon State (linebackers)
2015-17 – Nebraska (linebackers)
2012-14 – Oregon State (graduate assistant, linebackers)
2009-11 – Arizona State (graduate assistant, linebackers)