Vanderbilt and Oregon State make coaching choices as prominent programs await

Coaching Changes in College Football

There were a couple of notable coaching updates in college football on Friday.

This morning, Oregon State announced the hiring of JaMarcus Shepard, who has been serving as Alabama’s co-offensive coordinator, as their new head coach. He has inked a five-year deal with the university, as reported by sources.

“I’m truly honored to lead the Oregon State University football program. It’s a great community, one that really values its student-athletes,” Shepherd mentioned in a statement. He emphasized his commitment to building a culture based on toughness, integrity, and relentless effort. He also expressed excitement about collaborating with players, staff, and supporters to craft the next chapter of Beaver football.

Shepherd steps into this role after Trent Bray was let go in October, following a disappointing run with a record of 5-14 in his second year. This season, Oregon State has had a tough time, sitting at 2-9 while navigating financial uncertainties from the recent Pac-12 changes.

Not long after this announcement, Vanderbilt extended their head coach Clark Lee’s contract. Lee, who has attracted attention from various programs, is getting a significant salary boost and more resources to bolster the Commodores’ performance, especially as they enjoy a historic year in the SEC.

Under Lee’s leadership, Vanderbilt recently achieved several milestones, including a memorable win against Alabama, which marked the first time they beat both Alabama and Auburn in the same season since 1955.

Currently sitting at No. 14, Vanderbilt is hopeful about making a splash in the College Football Playoff discussions, but they’ll need some assistance to achieve that. They have a big matchup this Saturday against rival No. 19 Tennessee.