Big swings are coming to Corvallis — and not everyone will keep their jobs. Oregon State’s new head football coach, JaMarcus Shephard, appears ready to completely overhaul the Beavers’ assistant coaching staff as he begins building his vision for the program’s future.
Two coaches, running backs coach Ray Pickering and secondary coach AJ Cooper, confirmed their exits Monday evening. According to a person familiar with the situation, Shephard met personally with the existing staff earlier that day to let each assistant know whether they would have a role going forward. The verdict: most would not.
While the full list of personnel changes hasn’t been officially released, early signs point to major turnover. One source described the shift as a near-total reset, noting that co-defensive coordinator Rod Chance is also among those not being retained. For longtime fans who find this unsettling, it’s worth remembering — this is standard practice across college football. When a new head coach takes over, they typically bring in their own team to ensure full alignment in culture, philosophy, and recruiting priorities.
But here’s where it gets especially interesting. Shephard isn’t just cleaning house — he’s importing proven talent from his previous stop at Alabama. As The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Sunday, at least three key figures are expected to join him in Corvallis: Eron Hodges as the new football general manager, Mitch Dahlen as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and Torrey Gill as wide receivers coach. That level of staff migration signals Shephard’s confidence in replicating Alabama’s operational foundation within Oregon State’s program.
The university officially kicks off this new era Tuesday at noon with Shephard’s introductory press conference. Yet the celebrations have already begun. On Monday, he arrived at Reser Stadium accompanied by his wife and three children, greeted with music from the OSU marching band and a warm welcome from athletic director Scott Barnes. Oregon State’s social media pages captured the moment, marking a symbolic start to what could become one of the most dramatic coaching transitions in recent school history.
Of course, every reshuffling brings a mix of anticipation and skepticism. Will Shephard’s Alabama-infused approach elevate Oregon State’s competitiveness — or disrupt the team’s existing chemistry? That’s the question many Beaver fans are already debating. Some see the shake-up as a bold, necessary reboot after years of inconsistency. Others worry it could alienate players and recruits tied to the previous staff.
Either way, the message is clear: change is coming fast, and the Shephard era is officially underway in Corvallis.
So what do you think — should a new head coach wipe the slate clean, or should they preserve some continuity to maintain program stability?
