Oregon State Football: 5 coaching candidates to replace Gary Andersen

In the wake of Gary Andersen’s sudden departure, here are five candidates to be the next football coach at Oregon State.

A lopsided loss to USC last Saturday dropped the Oregon State Beavers to 1-5 this season, and 7-23 during Gary Andersen’s tenure as head coach. A midseason firing seemed unlikely though, with a new contract through 2021 for Andersen just inked y during the offseason. But, as Lee Corso  would say, “not so fast.”

On Monday Andersen and Oregon State agreed to part ways, with the outgoing coach reportedly foregoing all future money due to him. Cornerback coach Cory Hall will take over as interim head coach for the rest of the season, starting Saturday against Colorado. But a search for a long-term football coach may (and should?) be starting soon.

Oregon State is clearly a lower-tier job in the Pac-12, as well as nationally in the bigger picture. But that doesn’t mean there’s not some appeal to it, and the challenge of re-booting things in Corvallis is one a good coach may willing take on.

With that in mind, here are five candidates to become the next head coach at Oregon State.

5. Chip Kelly

Yes, Kelly would be the No. 1 dream candidate for Oregon State. But he’s got familiarity with the Pac-12, a great track record at in-state rival Oregon and his fast-paced offensive system works at the college level.

Of course, Kelly will pretty much have his pick of available marquee jobs after the season, under the obvious assumption he wants to coach again. Oregon State is not on that level, and Kelly could be choosy if he wants to be and work as an analyst for another year if there’s not a good coaching fit anywhere.

But Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes should at least see if Kelly has interest in the job. A “no” answer is better than wondering about it.