With Wayne Tinkle Fired, Who is Favored to be the Next Head Coach for Oregon State in 2026-2027? Who Should Replace Wayne Tinkle in 2026?
Full Story on Tinkle Being Fired as Oregon State’s Head Coach
The Beavers have been playing inconsistently in the men’s basketball program over the past few years. Despite winning 20 games in a season last year, Oregon State still failed to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021. Due to a lack of improvement from the men’s basketball team, the school decided to make a coaching change. Even though the Beavers entered March with a slight winning record, the university fired Wayne Tinkle after 12 seasons under the helm. He will remain in that role for the remainder of the 2025-2026 season.
The change is made in the midst of the program’s upcoming transition from the West Coast Conference to the Pac-12 later this summer. At the time of the decision, the 16-15 Beavers have lost three of their last six games. Oregon State is currently in fourth place in the West Coast standings. Perhaps the college basketball squad’s biggest win of this season so far came on February 25, where they defeated San Diego in overtime 92-82.
In 12 games during the 2025-2026 season, the defense gave up 80 points or more per contest. On the other side, the offense has only scored 75 points or less per contest in 21 games this year. Tinkle became the fifth men’s basketball head coach to be fired this season after Joe Scott (Air Force), Steve Lavin (San Diego), Jerome Tang (Kansas State), and Marvin Menzies (Kansas City).
Wayne Tinkle’s Career with the Oregon State Beavers
Tinkle took over as the leading man in Corvallis in 2014 after the dismissal of Craig Robinson. The former guided the Beavers to two NCAA Tournament trips, including the Elite Eight in 2021. Oregon State has not been to the postseason since the CBC first round in 2025. Also, the team has not played in the NCAA Tournament in consecutive years since 1988-1990. The men’s basketball club is seeking its first Final Four berth since 1963. Overall, Tinkle compiled a 175-205 record and 82-142 in conference play.
Before joining Oregon State, Tinkle held a similar role for Montana from 2006 until 2014. He took the Grizzlies to three NCAA Tournament appearances and one CBI first round. Tinkle also led Montana to four 20-win campaigns and one Big Sky Conference title in 2010. Prior to his Grizzlies stint, Tinkle was the school’s assistant coach from 2001 until 2006.
What’s Next for the Oregon State Beavers?
Many Beavers college basketball fans might wonder: Who is the leading candidate to replace Wayne Tinkle in 2026? The top coaches in consideration listed in this article have prior coaching experience. In addition, those candidates have been on the coaching staff for at least five years. Please refer to the information below for the list of top candidates to replace Tinkle as Oregon State Beavers Head Coach!
Possible Candidates to Replace Wayne Tinkle as Oregon State HC
Internal Candidates
Marlon Stewart-Oregon State
- California Assistant Coach (2008-2012)
- Montana Assistant Coach (2014-2017)
- Hawaii Assistant Coach (2017-2018)
- Oregon State Assistant Coach (2019-Present)
- 1 Elite Eight Appearance in 2021
Top Head Coach Candidates for Oregon State Beavers to Consider
Chris Victor-Seattle
- Concordia-Irvine Assistant Coach (2006-2010)
- Citrus College HC (2010-2015)
- Eastern Washington Assistant Coach (2015-2017)
- Seattle Assistant Coach (2017-2022)
- Seattle HC (2022-Present)
- 17-12 Record This Season
- Won CBI Championship in 2024
R-Jay Barsh-Gonzaga
- Southeastern University HC (2012-2019)
- Boise State Assistant Coach (2019-2022)
- Florida State Assistant Coach (2022-2023)
- Gonzaga Assistant Coach (2023-Present)
- 28-3 Record This Season
- Guided Bulldogs to Sweet 16 Berth in 2024
Kahil Fennell-UT Rio Grande Valley
- UT Permian Basin Assistant Coach (2015-2016)
- UT Permian Basin Associate HC (2016-2017)
- Portland State Assistant Coach (2017-2018)
- Louisville Assistant Coach (2021-2022)
- BYU Assistant Coach (2022-2024)
- UT Rio Grande Valley HC (2024-Present)
- 16-13 Record This Season
Andy Newman-Cal State Northridge
- Cal State Fullerton Associate HC (2007-2012)
- Cal State Fullerton Interim HC (2012-2013)
- UT Permian Basin HC (2013-2018)
- Cal State San Bernardino HC (2018-2023)
- Cal State Northridge HC (2023-Present)
- 18-10 Record This Season
- Took Matadors to NIT Tournament in 2025
Leading Candidate to Replace Wayne Tinkle as Beavers HC in 2026
Joe Pasternack-UC Santa Barbara
- California Assistant Coach (2001-2007)
- New Orleans HC (2007-2013)
- Arizona Assistant Coach (2011-2013)
- Arizona Associate HC (2013-2017)
- UC Santa Barbara HC (2017-Present)
- 17-11 Record This Season
- Led the Gauchos to 2 NBCAA Tournament Appearances
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