Oregon State AD Scott Barnes on Trent Bray as defensive coordinator, a football GM, spring football changes

Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes has long believed in the CEO model for his football coach.

Football is the largest sport in college in terms of numbers, and it needs someone to oversee everything, and not do so much day-to-day coaching.

So, why did Barnes sign off with his second-year coach Trent Bray deciding to take over the Beavers’ defensive coordinator duties?

“I can’t think of a better defensive coordinator, so I think we win there,” Barnes said.

OK, so while that’s not the real reason behind the move for Bray to take over for the departed Keith Heyward, it is a factor.

Barnes said he and Bray began talking midway through the 2024 season about Bray potentially returning as a position coach in addition to his role as head coach. As discussions elevated, Barnes believed Bray could handle the dual role of head coach/DC with an assistant. On Friday, Bray’s right-hand man was named, former Idaho head coach Robb Akey.

“Trent is our head coach, and he will dictate the vision and the path forward in our program. But having a bit more expertise in Robb Akey, we got that, right?” Barnes said.

Barnes said he was sold on Bray’s vision that “part of his value is being in the trenches with those guys at some level, and certainly the play calling at the defensive end, and the development of players.”

In another area that impacts the head coach, FBS college football programs are increasingly hiring a general manager to oversee the mesh of talent and revenue-sharing opportunities. Oregon State doesn’t have a football GM, and Barnes insists “that’s a Trent decision.”

Barnes is providing help, though, as he’s beginning to build out athletics staff that will oversee revenue-sharing initiatives, as well as reprioritize duties for some current staffers. OSU recently hired Justin Johnson, a former college offensive lineman, to fill the role of NIL business manager.

“The growth of our NIL program will eventually dictate hiring an executive-level position that will oversee all of it,” Barnes said.

On another front, there’s been growing discussions about changes to spring football. Some coaches have shown concern about the team’s spring game, and how it can become a scouting opportunity for rival coaches looking for transfer possibilities. There is a transfer portal window in April, which follows the end of most schools’ spring practices.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian went as far as saying he’s considering moving to the NFL’s offseason model of OTAs (organized team activities) and mini-camps.

Barnes acknowledges there “is more risk” playing a spring game and showing it on television, but any decision to make spring football changes is Bray’s.

“Our focus is what we’ve always been about,” Barnes said, “and that’s developing players.”

— Nick Daschel can be reached at 360-607-4824, ndaschel@oregonian.com or @nickdaschel.

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