The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Oregon State: a football coaching history

Regional Program I#85 of 138–
See Oregon State’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Mike Riley
Peaked at Power Program III
Built by
Mike Riley
Regional Program IV → Power Program III (+28.8)
The fall
Gary Andersen
National Program II → Regional Program I (−11.6)
Right now
JaMarcus Shephard
in year 1 — too new to place in Oregon State's history

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)StinerTaylorProthroAndrosAvezzanoKragthorpePettiboneRileySmith19401960198020002020

Every coach

2026–now
JaMarcus Shephardshort tenure
0–0
2025–2025
Robb Akeyshort tenure
2–3
2024–2025
Trent Brayshort tenure
5–14
2023–2023
Kefense Hynsonshort tenure
0–1
2018–2023
Jonathan Smithcaretaker
Jonathan Smith moved Oregon State from Regional Program I to National Program II in 6 seasons.
National Program II
34–35
2017–2017
Cory Hallshort tenure
0–6
2015–2017
Gary Andersencaretaker
Gary Andersen held Oregon State at National Program II for 3 seasons.
−11.6
7–23
1999–2002
Dennis Ericksonbuilder
Dennis Erickson raised Oregon State from Regional Program III to National Program II.
+20.9
31–17
1997–2014
Mike Rileybuilder
Mike Riley raised Oregon State from Regional Program IV to Power Program III.
+28.8
93–80
1991–1996
Jerry Pettibonecaretaker
Jerry Pettibone held Oregon State at Regional Program IV for 6 seasons.
Regional Program IV
13–52
1985–1990
Dave Kragthorpecaretaker
Dave Kragthorpe held Oregon State at Regional Program V for 6 seasons.
Regional Program V
17–48
1980–1984
Joe Avezzanocaretaker
Joe Avezzano slid Oregon State from Regional Program III to Regional Program IV in 5 seasons.
−10.1
6–47
1976–1979
Craig Fertigcaretaker
Craig Fertig held Oregon State at Regional Program I for 4 seasons.
Regional Program I
8–36
1965–1975
Dee Androscaretaker
Dee Andros moved Oregon State from National Program II to National Program I in 11 seasons.
−9.6
51–64
1955–1964
Tommy Prothrobuilder
Tommy Prothro raised Oregon State from Regional Program III to National Program II.
+16.8
63–37
1949–1954
Kip Taylorcaretaker
Kip Taylor held Oregon State at National Program II for 6 seasons.
−8.9
20–36
1936–1948
Lon Stinercaretaker
Lon Stiner held Oregon State at National Program I for 11 seasons.
National Program I
59–37