Oregon State is bolstering its defensive staff with a hire that brings serious credentials and a proven track record in the trenches. Former Louisville and Purdue defensive coordinator Mark Hagen is headed to Corvallis, where he’ll take over as the Beavers’ defensive line coach.
This is a strong addition for Oregon State, especially as the program enters a new chapter under head coach JaMarcus Shephard. Hagen’s resume reads like a tour through some of college football’s most competitive conferences - ACC, Big Ten, SEC - and he’s consistently developed high-level talent along the defensive front.
“Coach Hagen has been an elite coach on the defensive line from the moment he stepped on the field as a coach,” Shephard said in a statement. “He brings a wealth of experience from various institutions and conferences across college football to Corvallis and can develop at a high level regardless of where the team sat in the conference.”
That’s not just coach-speak. Hagen’s most recent stop at Louisville saw the Cardinals finish last season ranked top-25 nationally in multiple defensive categories - 16th in total defense, 23rd against the run, 24th against the pass, and 38th in scoring defense. That kind of balance across the board speaks to a unit that was well-coached and disciplined, especially up front.
And when it comes to developing individual talent, Hagen’s track record speaks for itself. At Louisville, he coached Ashton Gillotte into a second-team All-American - a player who went on to become a third-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2025 NFL Draft. Before that, at Purdue, Hagen helped mold George Karlaftis into an All-American edge rusher who made a name for himself as one of the most disruptive forces in the country.
Hagen’s coaching journey has taken him through some of the biggest programs in the country. He spent time at Texas in 2020, worked four seasons at Indiana (2015-18), and had a three-year stint at Texas A&M. His early coaching years also included stops at Northern Illinois and Indiana (2011-12), giving him a broad perspective on how to build and maintain defensive line play across different systems and talent pools.
“I’m honored and thankful to be a part of JaMarcus Shephard’s initial staff at Oregon State University,” Hagen said. “Oregon State has a proud football history, and I’m excited to get started in Corvallis.”
For a program looking to build a physical identity on defense, Hagen brings the kind of experience and teaching ability that can elevate the Beavers’ front line. Whether it’s developing future pros or tightening up run fits, Oregon State just added a coach who knows how to get results - and has done it at just about every level of college football.