Sundays have been anything but relaxing for coaches of struggling college football teams this season, with UCLA, Virginia Tech and Arkansas all firing their program’s leaders at the end of the weekend of a particularly devastating loss.
After Week 7, that trend reportedly has claimed another victim.
Oregon State has fired second-year head coach Trent Bray following a 0-7 start to the season, the university confirmed on Sunday, Oct. 12.
‘I want to thank Coach Bray for the energy and determination he brought to the role. A former student-athlete, proud graduate, and dedicated mentor, Trent’s connection to Oregon State runs deep — he will always be a Beaver,’ said Beavers athletic director Scott Barnes in a statement. ‘This was a difficult decision, but the results on the field were not acceptable and after evaluating every aspect of the football program, I believe it is in the best interests of OSU football student-athletes, our fans and our university.’
Bray was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach after his predecessor and former boss, Jonathan Smith, left for Michigan State after the 2023 season. Bray was unable to continue the strides the Beavers had made under Smith, going 5-14.
The 0-7 start is the program’s worst since 1991. Oregon State fell to Wake Forest 39-14 on Oct. 11, its fourth loss this season by at least 19 points. Bray had signed a five-year contract that was set to expire on Feb. 28, 2029. The deal paid him $2 million a year, before potential incentive-based bonuses.
Bray is a former Oregon State linebacker who previously had two different assistant-coaching stints at the school, from 2012-14 and 2018-23.
Last Sunday, the Beavers fired special teams coordinator Jamie Christian after the team ranked last among FBS programs in special teams efficiency. In a statement released at the time, Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes said he and Bray were ‘reviewing every aspect of the program and committed to making immediate changes.’
The move only improved the team’s fortunes so much in the Beavers’ 39-14 loss Saturday to Wake Forest. In that game, Oregon State was outgained 468-309 and trailed 32-0 early in the fourth quarter.
Bray’s short-lived tenure coincided with the Beavers’ existence in a two-team Pac-12 alongside Washington State. Next year, the Pac-12 will be adding Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Utah State and Texas State to be a part of a reformed, eight-team league.
