Overview
- Oregon State held Shephard’s introductory press conference, where he outlined culture, toughness, and Pac-12 title ambitions for the program.
- Multiple assistants are out as part of sweeping changes, with running backs coach Ray Pickering and secondary coach AJ Cooper confirming departures and co-defensive coordinator Rod Chance not being retained, according to a source.
- Shephard is expected to bring Alabama aides to Corvallis, including Eron Hodges as football general manager, Mitch Dahlen as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, and Torrey Gill as wide receivers coach, per reporting.
- Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said Shephard will stay with the Crimson Tide through the SEC championship preparation, while his status for any College Football Playoff games remains undecided.
- Athletic director Scott Barnes said Oregon State’s staff funding will total $5 million this cycle—$3 million for assistant salaries and $2 million for staff—as the program installs a dedicated football general manager role to centralize personnel and NIL operations.