Oregon State tabs former UW, WSU assistant as new head coach

Alabama assistant JaMarcus Shephard, who previously spent time on the UW Huskies' and WSU Cougars' coaching staffs, has been named Oregon State's head coach.

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nov 30, 2025, 10:15 AM

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Former UW Huskies and WSU Cougars assistant JaMarcus Shephard, who spent this season on Alabama's staff, coaches during pregame drills earlier this month. (Jason Clark/Getty Images)

(Jason Clark/Getty Images)

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Alabama assistant JaMarcus Shephard, who previously spent time on both the UW Huskies’ and WSU Cougars’ coaching staffs, has been named Oregon State’s next head football coach.

Oregon State announced Shephard’s hiring on Friday. The 42-year-old Shephard replaces Trent Bray, who was fired following the Beavers’ 0-7 start.

Shephard was WSU’s inside wide receivers coach in 2016 under Mike Leach and was UW’s passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2022 and 2023 under Kalen DeBoer. At UW, Shephard coached a high-powered passing attack led by Michael Penix and Rome Odunze that propelled the 2023 Huskies to the national championship game.

Shephard then followed DeBoer to Alabama in February 2024 and spent the past two seasons on the Crimson Tide’s staff. At Alabama, Shephard was an assistant head coach, co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach under DeBoer. Shephard has also been on staffs at Purdue and Western Kentucky.

“I’m extremely excited to announce JaMarcus Shephard as the head coach of the Oregon State football program,” Beavers athletic director Scott Barnes said. “His character and persona are top-notch and genuine, which will make all of Beaver Nation proud. His values align perfectly as an exceptional leader who fosters a sincere connection with his student athletes.

“He has coached at the highest level, with stops in the Pacific Northwest, and I cannot wait to see him on the recruiting trail and leading our football program to immediate success.”

Shephard will be formally introduced at a news conference Tuesday.

“I’m honored to lead the Oregon State University football program and to join a community that cares so deeply about its student-athletes,” Shephard said. “We will build a culture rooted in toughness, integrity, and relentless effort, and I’m excited to get to work with our players, staff, and supporters to write the next great chapter of Beaver football.”

Beaver Nation, meet your new Head Coach, JaMarcus Shephard!
—@CoachShephard https://t.co/MECu863kCQ pic.twitter.com/g6ioWWANso

— Oregon State Football (@BeaverFootball) November 28, 2025

Oregon State finished 2-10 this season after a 32-8 loss to WSU on Saturday night. It was the Beavers’ second straight losing season since former head coach Jonathan Smith departed to take the head coaching job at Michigan State.

Bray led Oregon State to a 4-1 start in 2024 and then lost 13 of 14 games before he was fired Oct. 12, the day after a 39-14 home loss to Wake Forest.

Oregon State and WSU are the only remaining members of the Pac-12 and have played independent schedules for two seasons since 10 members left for other conferences. A reconstituted Pac-12 will begin playing football again in 2026.

Shephard played college football from 2001-04 at Division III DePauw in Indiana, where he was a standout receiver and kick returner.

Seattle Sports staff made additions to this post.

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