This is not a drill, Oregon State Head Coach Trent Bray has been fired after the Beavers football team started with a whopping 0-7 record in the 2025 season.
“I want to thank Coach Bray for the energy and determination he brought to the role,” Athletic Director Scott Barnes said in an email via the OSU Athletics. “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.”
A key point to note surrounds the remainder of Bray’s three and a half year contract. In the email, it was said that the contract will be paid exclusively using donor-generated funds, the entire of it, not just this year.
Bray was promoted on Nov. 28, 2023 following the departure of Jonathan Smith to Michigan State after he had served as the defensive coordinator for a year, and the linebackers coach for four.
Bray never showed sparks of being able to coach this Oregon State football team, going 5-14 during his tenure, and allowing 12 games of 29 or more points, with five of those being 39 or more points.
After the team’s eighth straight loss dating back to last year, changes were needed. This news came a week after the firing of special teams coordinator Jamie Christian, and the day after the team got embarrassed 39-14 against Wake Forest.
Bray, who was elevated from defensive coordinator, anchored a strong defense back in 2023. He only allowed 32 points or more twice on the season, not counting the bowl game in which half the players did not participate and the bowl game interim head coach was Kefense Hynson.
“We get another opportunity,” Bray said after the Wake Forest game. “Being appreciative and grateful that we get to play again.” The players get to, but under different staffing.
With the firing, this now gives the players an opportunity to enter the transfer portal starting Oct. 13, and lasting 30 days.
The interim head coach will be Robb Akey, who has three decades of coaching experience, yet a 20-50 record as a head coach during his time at University of Idaho between 2007-2012.
Akey was hired in 2025 as the special assistant to the head coach, and following the firing of Christian was promoted to interim special teams coordinator.
