Oregon State University has parted ways with men's basketball coach Wayne Tinkle after 12 seasons, ahead of the program's return to the Pac-12 conference. The decision was announced on February 26, 2026, with Tinkle having the option to complete the current 2025-26 season. Athletic director Scott Barnes cited the need for a transition to ensure sustained success in the evolving collegiate landscape.
Oregon State University announced on February 26, 2026, that men's basketball coach Wayne Tinkle will not return after the 2025-26 season. Tinkle, who has led the Beavers for 12 years, compiled an overall record of 175-204, including 82-141 in conference games. The program experienced notable highs and lows during his tenure.
The most memorable achievement came in 2021, when Oregon State reached the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight as a No. 12 seed. The Beavers upset No. 5 Tennessee, No. 4 Oklahoma State, and No. 8 Loyola Chicago before losing to No. 2 Houston, the eventual national runner-up. This marked one of two NCAA Tournament appearances under Tinkle, with the other occurring earlier in his time at the school. The team also reached the postseason three times, including the College Basketball Crown last season.
However, the program struggled in several seasons. Following the 2021 Elite Eight run, Oregon State finished 3-28, posting the worst winning percentage (.097) in its 125-year history. Another low point was the 5-27 record in 2016-17. This season, the Beavers are 16-14 overall and 9-8 in West Coast Conference play, having transitioned to the WCC after the Pac-12's restructuring.
In a statement, athletic director Scott Barnes said: "We are grateful to Wayne for his dedication to Oregon State and for the leadership he has provided our men's basketball program. He has represented Beaver Nation with integrity and commitment. As we approach the dawn of the new Pac-12 era, we believe it is in the best interest of our men's basketball program to transition to its next chapter. These decisions are never easy, but we are focused on positioning our program for sustained success in a rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape."
Tinkle has not yet decided whether to coach through the end of the current season. The announcement aligns with broader changes at Oregon State, including a recent coaching hire in football, as the school prepares for the reconstructed Pac-12, which will include Gonzaga as a basketball-only member and other schools like Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State, and Washington State starting in 2026-27. DHR Global will assist in the search for Tinkle's replacement.
