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Oregon State fires head coach Trent Bray

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko10/12/25nickkosko59
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Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Oregon State fired head football coach Trent Bray following the Beavers’ 0-7 start to the season, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed the news.

Bray went 5-14 in a season-plus with the team. He took over for former head coach Jonathan Smith, who departed the program for Michigan State ahead of the 2024 season.

Following Oregon State’s 39-14 loss to Wake Forest Saturday, Bray had to address the downtrodden program. He was asked if anyone quit on the staff.

“I don’t think so,” Bray said, via Oregon Live. “Just by going through the week. I’ve got to watch the film to have a better evaluation of what that looked like. It didn’t feel like it on the field, but I’ve got to evaluate that … I’m frustrated. I’m disappointed. I look at myself, and I’ve got to fix it. It’s unacceptable to me where we’re at. That’s just how I look at it. What can I do? I’ve got to look at it. What can I do different to get these guys going?”

Bray was later asked about his job security. He said he didn’t give it a thought at the time and could only control what he could control.

“I really don’t think about that,” Bray said. “Those are out of my control, decisions that people make. I’m just going to show up until they tell me I can’t.”

Bray is an alum of Oregon State, having played linebacker for the school from 2002-05. He also played in NFL Europe for the Hamburg Sea Devils in 2007 before becoming a coach.

He started his career at Arizona State as a GA in 2008 before becoming an assistant for the UFL’s California Redwoods in 2009. The league and team have since folded.

Bray returned to Arizona State in 2010 as the linebackers coach for two seasons. He held the same role at Oregon State beginning in 2012.

After three seasons, Bray coached linebackers at Nebraska from 2015-17 before returning to Oregon State for a longer stint. He joined Smith’s staff as the linebacker’s coach for four seasons. In 2022, Bray was promoted to defensive coordinator, where he held the role for two years.

Oregon State decided to promote from within and make Bray the head coach, where he had mixed results last season. But, the Beavers have been blown out in five of their season losses this season, causing the athletic department to make a change.