In a significant move, Oregon State has announced that men's basketball coach Wayne Tinkle will part ways with the program after the 2025-26 season. Tinkle, who has been at the helm for 12 years, has the option to complete the current season, but it's still up in the air whether he'll choose to do so. The Beavers are currently sitting at 16-14 overall and 9-8 in West Coast Conference play.
Tinkle's tenure has been a rollercoaster, marked by both remarkable achievements and challenging seasons. His departure aligns with Oregon State's transition from the WCC back to the Pac-12, which is set to reemerge next season as a restructured conference.
Throughout his time in the Pac-12, Tinkle's teams never climbed higher than fourth place, and they wrapped up their inaugural WCC season in fifth. His record stands at 175-204 overall, with a conference tally of 82-141.
Athletic director Scott Barnes expressed gratitude for Tinkle's dedication, stating, "He has represented Beaver Nation with integrity and commitment." As the Pac-12 prepares for its new chapter, Barnes emphasized the need for change to ensure the program's success in the evolving landscape of college athletics.
One of the standout moments of Tinkle's era was the Beavers' incredible run to the Elite Eight in 2021. Entering the NCAA Tournament as a No. 12 seed, they stunned higher-seeded teams like Tennessee, Oklahoma State, and Loyola Chicago before falling to Houston, the eventual national runner-up. This was one of two NCAA Tournament appearances during Tinkle's leadership.
Despite reaching the postseason three times, including last season's College Basketball Crown, the Beavers also endured two of the program's toughest years under Tinkle. Following their Elite Eight success, they slumped to a 3-28 record, the worst winning percentage in the program's 125-year history. A similar struggle occurred in the 2016-17 season with a 5-27 record.
As Oregon State gears up for the Pac-12 relaunch, the university is also making changes in its football program. After parting ways with football coach Trent Bray in 2025, they brought in JaMarcus Shephard from Alabama as the new head coach.
These shifts are part of Oregon State's broader strategy to become a formidable contender in the revamped league. Historically a bottom-half athletic department in the Pac-12, the Beavers are aiming to leverage their Power Five experience to rise as leaders in the new conference era.
The Pac-12 itself is poised for growth, welcoming Gonzaga as a basketball-only member and several former Mountain West schools. For the 2026-27 season, the conference will feature nine teams, including Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Oregon State, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State, and Washington State, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in college basketball.