Oregon State fires coach Trent Bray after 0-7 start to the season
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Oregon State University has fired coach Trent Bray in the wake of an 0-7 start to the season, ESPN reported Sunday.
After Saturday's loss to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, this marked the worst start for the Beavers since 1991.
Bray was succinct about his team's performance after that game.
“Just not good,” Bray said. “Not good on any front.”
The Beavers 27-23 loss last week at Appalachian State initially spurred speculation that Bray might be fired.
Instead, special teams coach Jamie Christian was dismissed that Sunday following the loss. The announcement came shortly after athletic director Scott Barnes said he and Bray were evaluating the program with an eye toward making immediate changes.
“I understand and share your disappointment with how our football season has started,” Barnes said in a statement to Beaver nation. “My expectations for our program are high, and right now, we are not meeting them.”
Bray again faced questions about his future after Saturday's loss. He said he planned to keep showing up “until they tell me I can't.”
“I’m frustrated. I’m disappointed. I look at myself, and I’ve got to fix it,” he said. “It’s unacceptable to me where we’re at. That’s just how I look at it. What can I do? I’ve got to look at it. What can I do different to get these guys going?”
Oregon Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Barnes made a formal announcement of Bray's departure on Sunday morning.
"I want to thank Coach Bray for the energy and determination he brought to the role. A former student-athlete, proud graduate, and dedicated mentor, Trent’s connection to Oregon State runs deep — he will always be a Beaver,” Barnes said. “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.”
Barnes added they've begun a national search for Bray's replacement. However, Robb Akey will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Akey holds more than three decades of coaching experience in college and professional football, including as head coach and NFL assistant.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.