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Less than a week after the former Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith Sending shockwaves through the Beaver community with the departure to Michigan State, Oregon State has their next head coach Trent Bray Sources tell BeaversEdge.
Smith’s defensive coordinator has been on OSU’s staff since the middle of the 2021 season, and having been on Smith’s staff since they arrived in 2018, Bray’s hiring brings stability and familiarity to a program in desperate need of both. He also follows in the former employee’s footsteps by being an Ohio State University alumnus…
The Beavers had a remarkable turnaround in defensive success once Bray was given the keys to the defense. He was first appointed to the position after DC Tim Tipisar was fired with three games remaining, before being given the job permanently before the bowl game.
During Bray’s two more seasons as defensive coordinator, the Beavers went 20-9 overall and had arguably the best defense in the conference in 2022 and a top-five defense in the Pac-12 this season.
During the 2022 campaign, Bray’s defense ranked first in the Pac-12 in total defense, scoring defense, rush defense, pass efficiency defense, and red zone defense (No. 1 in the nation), and fourth in third-down defense in 2022.
Before returning to Oregon with Smith in 2018, Bray worked with former Oregon State head coach Mike Riley on Nebraska’s staff from 2015-17. Before that, he was with Riley at Ohio State University as a GA and LB coach from 2012-14.
Bray also spent time with Dennis Erickson and his father, Craig Bray, on Arizona State’s defensive staff from 2010-11.
During his distinguished playing career with the Beavers (2002-05), he made 34 consecutive career starts, recorded 337 career tackles, was a two-time Pac-10 award winner, and was the Insight Bowl MVP in 2004…
Corvallis, Ore. Trent Brayone of the most outstanding defensive players in Oregon State history, has been named the Beavers’ next head coach, vice president and athletics director Scott Barnes announced Tuesday.
“I am excited to be able to announce Trent as our next head coach,” Barnes said. “After interviewing several qualified candidates, we realized that our top choice, Trent, has already been a mainstay at the Valley Football Center and Reiser Stadium. He has been a part of the Beaver Nation for a long time and the love for this place is genuine. The relationship and trust he has built with our student-athletes “His energy and determination as head coach will be a catalyst for the program’s continued success.”
Bray’s ascension as Oregon State’s 32nd head coach comes after two-and-a-half seasons as the Beavers’ defensive coordinator, where he transformed the program’s defense into one of the best units in the country. The 2024 season will be his 10th as Oregon State’s head coach. He came to Corvallis for three years from 2012-14 before returning in 2018.
“I would like to thank Scott Barnes and President Jayathi Murthy for this opportunity,” Bray said. “I’ve been a part of Oregon State for a long time, both as a coach and a student-athlete, and I know how special the Beaver Nation is. I’m excited to lead an outstanding group of guys that our fans can be proud of.”
Bray’s appointment is conditional upon completion of all university recruitment processes.
Bray, a 2022 Broyles Award nominee for the nation’s top assistant coach, is in his sixth season during his second stint with the Beavers. He returned to Oregon State in 2018 as the linebackers coach and was promoted to defensive coordinator in November 2021. OSU’s defense immediately became one of the best units in the Pac-12 under his watch. Oregon State gave up six fewer points per game in 2022 than in 2021, while also allowing 55 fewer rushing yards. The Beavers also posted a Pac-12-best 71 pass breakups. Additionally, Oregon State led the conference in red zone defense, while allowing the fewest plays of 10 or more yards.
The Beavers’ 2023 defense has been stout, allowing 340 yards and 21.3 points per game, both of which rank among the Pac-12 leaders. The Beavers have given up 104 yards per game on the ground, good for 15th nationally, and the team’s scoring defense is less than 3 points per game shy of the top 20. Oregon State ranks second in the Pac-12 in total sacks (36), third in tackles for loss (72) and interceptions (12) and fourth in fewest opponent plays of 10 or more yards.
Bray and the Beavers are scheduled to appear in their third straight game next month. The game will be the 11th game all-time for Bray, who played in three games as a player. This will be his eighth as a collegiate coach.
Bray coached two All-Americans during his second stint at OSU – Avery Roberts in 2021 and Hamilcar Rashid Jr. in 2019. Rashid Jr. set Oregon’s single-season record with 14 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss during his All-American season his own. . Meanwhile, Roberts led the Pac-12 in tackles in back-to-back seasons (128 in 2021, 69 in 2020), ranking seventh nationally in 2021.
Jack Colletto, who was converted to a linebacker after coming to OSU as a quarterback, was named the 2022 Hornung Award winner as the most versatile player in college football. Meanwhile, eight running backs have been named All-Pac-12 performers in his six seasons, while 15 defensive players have earned conference recognition since Bray was named defensive coordinator.
Broyles’ 2022 nomination was the second for Bray, a native of Pullman, Washington. He was nominated in 2016 during his second year at Nebraska as the team’s linebackers coach. While with the Cornhuskers, Bray helped lead Nebraska to a No. 9 national mark allowing just 109 yards per game in 2015.
Bray’s first stint on Oregon’s coaching staff came from 2012-14. He opened his tenure as a graduate assistant and was transitioned to linebackers coach in 2013. He helped Oregon State on trips to the Alamo and Hawaii Bowls, and was part of a defensive staff that made LSU Ohio ranked second in the conference in scoring defense and third in rushing defense in 2012.
He opened his collegiate coaching career from 2009 to 2011 at Arizona State. Bray was a graduate assistant with the Sun Devils in 2009 before leading the team’s players in 2010 and 2011. ASU ranked first in the conference in rushing defense in 2010 while ranking third in red zone defense. He coached former eight-year NFL veteran Vontaze Burfict during his tenure in Tempe.
Bray lettered for the Beavers from 2002-05, starting 34 straight games during his career. He ranked sixth in his career with 337 tackles, and was a 2005 Pac-12 first-team selection. He totaled 122 tackles in 2004 and was named second-team all-conference. He was also the 2004 Insight Bowl MVP after recording 10 tackles.
Bray is a 2007 graduate of Oregon State, with a degree in sociology.
Trent Bray’s coaching history
November 2021-present: Oregon State – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2018-21: Oregon State – Linebackers
2015-17: Nebraska – Linebackers
2012-14: Oregon State – Graduate assistant and linebacker
2009-11: Arizona State – Graduate assistant and linebacker
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