Oregon State football coaching candidates, the big list: From top prospects, to possibilities, to probably not

Who might become Oregon State’s next head football coach? We talked to a few experts with knowledge of candidates, and here’s how it shakes out a day after the departure of Jonathan Smith to Michigan State:

Top tier

Bryan Harsin: He comes off a failed two-year campaign at Auburn, but Harsin was a big winner at Boise State and Arkansas State. Harsin, 85-36 for his career, knows the Northwest recruiting scene, as he spent more than half his coaching career at Boise State.

Nick Rolovich: Obviously a coach who comes with significant baggage after his controversial exit at Washington State. But Rolovich knows how to coach exciting offense, having employed the run-and-shoot at Hawaii and Washington State. In his final season at Hawaii, Rolovich went 10-5, including a win over OSU.

Ryan Grubb: On a short list of hot offensive coordinators. Never a head coach, Grubb helped developed one of the country’s hottest offenses at Washington the past two years. Grubb has also been offensive coordinator at Fresno State and Eastern Michigan.

Jeff Traylor: In four years at Texas-San Antonio, all Traylor has done is win. He’s 38-14, with a 12 and 11-win campaign among the four seasons. He’s one of the highest paid AAC coaches at $2.5 million a year, but it’s assumed OSU can clear that bar.

Bronco Mendenhall: The former Beaver safety has been out of football since resigning at Virginia after its 2021 bowl game. Mendenhall has been living on a farm in Montana, but recently said he’s open to returning to college football . His 17-year resume at BYU and Virginia produced a record of 135-81, including five seasons with 10 or more wins, and 15 bowl appearances.

Paul Chryst: Another candidate with Oregon State ties, as he was offensive coordinator for Mike Riley during two different Beaver stints (1997-98, 2003-04). Chryst is considered an excellent play caller and capable of building good staffs. His 11-year record at Pittsburgh and Wisconsin is 86-45. Chryst, who took over for Gary Andersen in 2015 when he left for OSU, won 10 or more games four times for the Badgers. He’s currently an offensive analyst at Texas.

Trent Bray: He’ll be a fan and player favorite, as the former Beaver and current defensive coordinator seeks his first head coaching opportunity. Bray transformed an Oregon State defense into one of the best in the Pac-12 during the past two years. Bray is the best bet to keep the current roster intact, but he’s unproven as a head coach.

Chip Kelly remains UCLA's coach, but what if he becomes available in the days to come? AP

Second tier

Jamey Chadwell: Hard to argue with his success. The 46-year-old Chadwell is 111-57 as a head coach at five different schools. His latest gig is Liberty, where Chadwell is 12-0 this season. Chadwell wouldn’t come cheaply, as he’s making $4 million a year, with a $4 million buyout.

Matt Wells: Athletic director Scott Barnes knows Wells well, as he hired him as Utah State’s coach in 2012. Wells, who has an offensive background, had two 10-win seasons and a winning record at Utah State. Wells didn’t fare as well during a three-year stint at Texas Tech. He’s currently an offensive analyst at Oklahoma.

Chip Kelly: Not currently on the market, but UCLA could make a change any day. Kelly is a marquee name with a deep resume, but has he lost his fastball? That’s something to learn.

Jason Eck: A former offensive line coach, Eck has turned around a slumbering Idaho program the past two years.

Barry Odom: This would take some digging by OSU, as Odom was fired by Missouri after a four-year run when he was 25-25. Yet in his first season at UNLV, Odom turned it around, getting the Rebels to the Mountain West championship game. He could be expensive, too, as UNLV has resources to pay at the higher end of MWC coaches.

Jerry Kill: A winner at nearly every stop in his career, Kill’s latest feat is resurrecting New Mexico State this season. Kill took Minnesota to three bowl games during his five-year run as Gophers coach. Kill had well-publicized health issues that led to his resignation at Minnesota in 2015. If those are behind him, Kill is worth a long look.

Jeff Tedford: No introduction needed here. It’s just a question of whether Tedford, currently in his second stint at Fresno State, wants to take over another program at age 62.

San Jose State head coach Brent Brennan has ties to Oregon State, and has had some success at his current stop.AP

Will get mentioned, maybe a look, but unlikely

Brent Brennan: A hot fan favorite, Brennan has ties to Oregon State as a former receivers coach from 2011-16. Brennan is in his seventh year at San Jose State, where he led the Spartans to a 7-1 record during the COVID 2021 season. But Brennan has never won more than seven games at San Jose State, and has four losing seasons.

Kirby Moore: Comes from the Moore coaching family, the son of an enormously successful high school coach and brother of Kellen Moore, an NFL offensive coordinator. Moore is offensive coordinator at Missouri, which has made a surprise appearance in the CFP top 10 this season.

Justin Wilcox: Only if he’s fired at Cal, and that’s now unlikely after the Bears became bowl eligible after Saturday’s win over UCLA. Wilcox has ties to the state of Oregon.

Brian Lindgren: Oregon State’s offensive coordinator the past six years, he’s interested in becoming a head coach. Lindgren would have to convince Barnes that he’s everything he saw in Smith in 2017.

Mike Riley: At 70, does Riley have enough gas in the tank for a third stint as Oregon State’s coach?

Willie Fritz: No question with the resume or record, and Fritz has Tulane rolling, having won 23 games the past two seasons. But the 63-year-old Fritz has spent his entire career in the South and Southwest, and has said he wants to retire at Tulane.

-Nick Daschel |