It's official: Oregon State has tapped Justin Joyner as the new head coach to steer the Beavers into a fresh chapter of Pac-12 basketball.
Joyner's journey to Oregon State is marked by his impactful stint at the University of Michigan, where he served as an assistant coach under Dusty May. In his debut season with the Wolverines, Joyner played a pivotal role in transforming the team, tripling their win total from the previous year and leading them to a 27-10 finish with a Big Ten Tournament Championship to boot.
Before his success at Michigan, Joyner honed his skills over seven seasons at Saint Mary's College under the guidance of longtime coach Randy Bennett. Starting as the Director of Basketball Operations in 2017, he climbed the ranks to become an assistant coach and eventually the associate head coach for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.
Eric Bossi, 247Sports National Basketball Director, praised Joyner as one of the rising stars in coaching. "He's relentless on the recruiting trail and has a keen tactical mind during practices and games," Bossi noted.
"Joyner's youthful energy and strong West Coast connections are exactly what Oregon State needs to rejuvenate their program. His approach could be transformative for the Beavers in the evolving landscape of college basketball."
Travis Branham, a National Basketball Analyst from 247Sports, echoed these sentiments. "Justin is among the top assistant coaches nationwide.
His knack for recruiting and building player relationships, especially on the West Coast, is exceptional," Branham shared. "He's a strategic thinker with a clear, motivated approach, making significant impacts both on the court and in roster development.
Oregon State is gaining a promising coach on the rise."
Joyner will be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday, marking the beginning of an exciting new era for Oregon State basketball. Fans are eagerly anticipating the energy and innovation he will bring to Corvallis.
Stay connected with all the latest updates on Oregon State Athletics as the Joyner era kicks off.