Oregon State University has dismissed men’s basketball coach Wayne Tinkle after 12 seasons, according to reporting by Oregon Public Broadcasting. The announcement was made Thursday by the university’s athletics department.

In a statement released by OSU Athletic Director Scott Barnes, the university thanked Tinkle for his leadership and noted that the program is preparing for sweeping changes as it enters a reorganized Pac‑12 beginning next year. Barnes said the decision was made “in the best interest of our men’s basketball program” as the school positions itself for long‑term competitiveness in a rapidly shifting collegiate athletics landscape.

During Tinkle’s tenure, Oregon State reached the NCAA Tournament twice, including a high‑profile Elite Eight run in 2021 after winning the Pac‑12 Tournament. According to OPB’s reporting, the Beavers are 16‑14 overall this season and 9‑8 in West Coast Conference play, with one regular‑season game remaining at Santa Clara before the conference tournament in Las Vegas.

Tinkle has been offered the option to remain with the program through the end of the current season, though he has not publicly announced whether he will do so. Oregon State stated that its search for a new head coach would begin immediately.

The coaching change comes as the Beavers prepare for a rebuilt Pac‑12. Oregon State and Washington State remained the only members of the conference following widespread realignment in 2023. The league is set to relaunch with a new lineup that includes Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State.

For residents in Southwest Washington—many of whom follow Oregon State athletics due to regional proximity and longstanding connections—this transition marks another significant development in the broader reshaping of West Coast college sports. With Gonzaga joining the conference and the Pac‑12 footprint shifting north and inland, the regional athletics landscape that influences fan allegiances, travel patterns, and local viewing habits continues to evolve.

Why this matters locally

College sports changes often echo across Southwest Washington, where many households have alumni ties to universities throughout the Pacific Northwest. Oregon State’s conference realignment and coaching transition may affect future regional matchups, travel opportunities for local fans, and the visibility of Pacific Northwest programs in national competition. As OSU and Washington State rebuild the Pac‑12, residents here may see new rivalries emerge and old ones reshaped.

Sources