This Duck fan is thrilled for OSU. Shepherd seems full of exciting promise. Hopefully, this signals the beginning of a meteoric rise for OSU football that inspires its fans and donors to hop on and push the bandwagon. There are bound to be stumbles, but Shepherd exudes confidence and leadership. Go Beavs!
I wish we had just hired a new coach when I was at Corvallis in the 80s. Alas, we had to settle for Joe Avezzano. Being on campus with all the excitement and hoopla of a new regime would have been awesome.
How can you not love a coach who stresses that nothing comes easy and you play the way you live?! That is the perfect message for a team which is a bit undermanned by the numbers (the ranking services) but who can be elevated by someone who teaches discipline and loves life. I am through the roof for the Beavers in 2026!
“I hope you all woke up and chose violence". This would be a line we never heard from Mike Riley. Maybe not even from Dennis Erickson or Jonathan Smith. That is definitely a step in the right direction. BTW... saw that Oregon State was picked to finish dead last in the conference it saved. Talk about a slap in the face. That should be some bulletin board material all season long.
After watching the video, my take away is Coach Shepherd might be the perfect blend of Mike Riley, with his fatherly ways and high life values, and Dennis Erickson, who was about kicking a$$ at all times (but maybe not always so great on values). Coach has ME excited for the season
i'm a little on the fence w/ the 'chose violence' thing...i'm good if you call me out on this! but yeah, totally agree--chosen to finish last in the conference that OSU helped save?! fire up the chainsaw on that!
Its the mentality of football, especially on the line. If you aren't thinking that way (violence), you can't compete. It is also kind of a testosterone thing. The magic of Dennis Erickson is he made that happen for Oregon State in 1999-2002. But ideally, you learn how to turn off the "violence switch" when not playing. Not all players can do that. I think Shepherd's will
Hi Suzie, you can live with the "chose violence" line because it's your guy. A different coach, a different program, you might not be on the fence it all. I don't say this to criticize, it's just how we are as fans.
Not a slap in the face, and it has nothing to do with saving the conference. It's about the inexperience of the coaching staff and administration, and the talent level assembled/patched together, relative to the rest of the conference, all of whom are in better initial shape.
Increased respect and loftier expectations will come if the Beavers are competitive and competent, especially if they win some several games. But some of the signs so far are more promising than anything seen since early in season before last.
I like the energy but we don't know if it's a good hire yet. He's coached exactly zero games in college football, same with Kirby Moore, whom WSU fans are also gushing over. I've been fooled a few times on these hires, I'll wait for Shephard and Moore to start coaching games.
Just picked up on the fact that Coach Shepherd's son is attending West Albany HS, which is my alma mater. Wow! An Oregon State HC who lives in Albany. That has to be a first. Must be North Albany, though my end of town (Southwest) has homes suitable for an HC. Just another reason (for me) to love this man.
As a native Hoosier that has lived in DC for the last 24 years, you just got a new OSU rooter learning the coach is from Indiana. Fun article painting a great picture, per usual.
cautiously optimistic! still won't re-new my season tickets--those 7:00p kick-off times are brutal (i live in Spfld). if they finish barely above .500, success for a first year coach that inherited a decimated program. get it done, JM and GO BEAVS!
Just watched the interview on YouTube. Thanks for great reporting. I'm a third year subscriber l and look forward to your articles every day. Met you in Vegas at the last PAC12 women's basketball tournament. I saw you in Valley Football Center this morning (I was the public safety officer who walked by with Cedar, OSU's therapy K9). Keep up the good work.
Articles every day? Not anymore! Since he’s brought on his YouTube articles are diminishing in quantity and quality and what articles there are is to promote his YouTube channel.
When I produce a quality YouTube video that adds some visuals or conduct a radio show interview that accompanies something of interest in print... I'm going to link it and promote it here to subscribers.
It's part of the value of your subscription. Take what you like. Leave what you don't. That said, I get all kinds of data on users... and you consume everything I produce ravenously and are among the highest engagers. It means a lot to me that you're here and so passionate.
So you're like the two old guys sitting in a restaurant. One says, "The food in this place is terrible!", and the other replies, "Yeah, and the portions are so small!".
Tho morning bike photo reminds me of an incident I experienced one morning when I was walking towards my work building. The day before, I happened to read a newspaper article about a retired college football coach who was helping to coach a nearby high school football team. His love of the game and his desire to help out the kids was his thing.
That morning, the old coach in the story rode up toward me on his bike. I recognized him from the feature article, and I said “mornin’ Coach” as he rode past in the morning light.
I never saw him after that.
Perhaps our new ball coach may have much success, and keep his morning bike ride. “mornin’ Coach” Welcome to Corvallis!
As someone who had only a bike and lived off campus at Oregon State, I rode or walked everywhere. Corvallis is a great town to ride on a bike. There are no highways or freeways running through town. It is mostly suburban streets with some hills to the north thrown in for excitement. I already like Coach Shephard even more.
I bet the program improves every week with this type of coaching. I agree with JC that the first couple of games could be rough with a complete rebuild. But the best teams are measured by how much they improve from the start of the season to the end. Last year's team just got worse each week. This one won't
This is great stuff John! The more I hear and see Coach Shep, the more I like him. Seems like the whole attitude has changed at Oregon State for the better. Go Beavs!
It's going to be interesting to see how the two rookie coaches at Oregon State and Wazzu navigate their first seasons in the newly reconstituted Pac-12. 3 of the first 4 games for the Cougars are almost automatic losers. Thanks Pat Chun. The Beavers should be 2-2 after September. Good luck to both coaches. I like how both are approaching the season. And, thanks, John for your coverage of the Pac-12.
This Duck fan is thrilled for OSU. Shepherd seems full of exciting promise. Hopefully, this signals the beginning of a meteoric rise for OSU football that inspires its fans and donors to hop on and push the bandwagon. There are bound to be stumbles, but Shepherd exudes confidence and leadership. Go Beavs!
thank you, Duck fan! as are my OR friends are here, for me, in EUG :) just wish that we were still intact w/ the Pac-12 :(
Amen!
I wish we had just hired a new coach when I was at Corvallis in the 80s. Alas, we had to settle for Joe Avezzano. Being on campus with all the excitement and hoopla of a new regime would have been awesome.
Though I am a few decades past my prime, I still avoid the elevator whenever possible and I love the symbolism taking the stairs represents.
As a student at OSU I was a bike commuter and continued that into my late thirties.
I'm really excited for Beaver Football for the first time since Smith's 🛫.
Go Beavs!
Frequently take the stairs vs. escalator or elevator...
How can you not love a coach who stresses that nothing comes easy and you play the way you live?! That is the perfect message for a team which is a bit undermanned by the numbers (the ranking services) but who can be elevated by someone who teaches discipline and loves life. I am through the roof for the Beavers in 2026!
“I hope you all woke up and chose violence". This would be a line we never heard from Mike Riley. Maybe not even from Dennis Erickson or Jonathan Smith. That is definitely a step in the right direction. BTW... saw that Oregon State was picked to finish dead last in the conference it saved. Talk about a slap in the face. That should be some bulletin board material all season long.
After watching the video, my take away is Coach Shepherd might be the perfect blend of Mike Riley, with his fatherly ways and high life values, and Dennis Erickson, who was about kicking a$$ at all times (but maybe not always so great on values). Coach has ME excited for the season
i'm a little on the fence w/ the 'chose violence' thing...i'm good if you call me out on this! but yeah, totally agree--chosen to finish last in the conference that OSU helped save?! fire up the chainsaw on that!
Its the mentality of football, especially on the line. If you aren't thinking that way (violence), you can't compete. It is also kind of a testosterone thing. The magic of Dennis Erickson is he made that happen for Oregon State in 1999-2002. But ideally, you learn how to turn off the "violence switch" when not playing. Not all players can do that. I think Shepherd's will
i get that :)
Hi Suzie, you can live with the "chose violence" line because it's your guy. A different coach, a different program, you might not be on the fence it all. I don't say this to criticize, it's just how we are as fans.
see above--all good :)
Not a slap in the face, and it has nothing to do with saving the conference. It's about the inexperience of the coaching staff and administration, and the talent level assembled/patched together, relative to the rest of the conference, all of whom are in better initial shape.
Increased respect and loftier expectations will come if the Beavers are competitive and competent, especially if they win some several games. But some of the signs so far are more promising than anything seen since early in season before last.
Yeh....I guarantee the players, whom I was speaking for, take exception to your analysis, as they should
What a hire! I can feel the energy from Corvallis all the way to Portland! Trust the good Shephard!
Go Beavs!
I like the energy but we don't know if it's a good hire yet. He's coached exactly zero games in college football, same with Kirby Moore, whom WSU fans are also gushing over. I've been fooled a few times on these hires, I'll wait for Shephard and Moore to start coaching games.
The ghost of Dee Andros in October on a rainy Benton Co. night too…
Fifth place in Pac12 here they come.
I was expecting you to pick them last!
In case you know who Roy Kent is, you're a wanker!!!
Fabulous journalism
Seems like JC was willing to meet Coach Shepherd in the parking lot at 4:15am. That shows his dedication to his profession, right there.
Just picked up on the fact that Coach Shepherd's son is attending West Albany HS, which is my alma mater. Wow! An Oregon State HC who lives in Albany. That has to be a first. Must be North Albany, though my end of town (Southwest) has homes suitable for an HC. Just another reason (for me) to love this man.
Coach Avezzano didn't live in Albany but his wife did live at the T&R Truck Stop in Albany! 🤣
Hilarious JB!!!
Go Bulldogs!
As a native Hoosier that has lived in DC for the last 24 years, you just got a new OSU rooter learning the coach is from Indiana. Fun article painting a great picture, per usual.
Thank you for this.
cautiously optimistic! still won't re-new my season tickets--those 7:00p kick-off times are brutal (i live in Spfld). if they finish barely above .500, success for a first year coach that inherited a decimated program. get it done, JM and GO BEAVS!
Just watched the interview on YouTube. Thanks for great reporting. I'm a third year subscriber l and look forward to your articles every day. Met you in Vegas at the last PAC12 women's basketball tournament. I saw you in Valley Football Center this morning (I was the public safety officer who walked by with Cedar, OSU's therapy K9). Keep up the good work.
Thanks Patrick.
Articles every day? Not anymore! Since he’s brought on his YouTube articles are diminishing in quantity and quality and what articles there are is to promote his YouTube channel.
When I produce a quality YouTube video that adds some visuals or conduct a radio show interview that accompanies something of interest in print... I'm going to link it and promote it here to subscribers.
It's part of the value of your subscription. Take what you like. Leave what you don't. That said, I get all kinds of data on users... and you consume everything I produce ravenously and are among the highest engagers. It means a lot to me that you're here and so passionate.
True!
So you're like the two old guys sitting in a restaurant. One says, "The food in this place is terrible!", and the other replies, "Yeah, and the portions are so small!".
Tho morning bike photo reminds me of an incident I experienced one morning when I was walking towards my work building. The day before, I happened to read a newspaper article about a retired college football coach who was helping to coach a nearby high school football team. His love of the game and his desire to help out the kids was his thing.
That morning, the old coach in the story rode up toward me on his bike. I recognized him from the feature article, and I said “mornin’ Coach” as he rode past in the morning light.
I never saw him after that.
Perhaps our new ball coach may have much success, and keep his morning bike ride. “mornin’ Coach” Welcome to Corvallis!
As someone who had only a bike and lived off campus at Oregon State, I rode or walked everywhere. Corvallis is a great town to ride on a bike. There are no highways or freeways running through town. It is mostly suburban streets with some hills to the north thrown in for excitement. I already like Coach Shephard even more.
And always…I mean always…equip your bike with fenders. Corvallis rain will leave a dark stripe on your backside
LOL!! Truth!
Bike friendly: except when there is fog. And, let's hope the Beavers program emerges before September.
I bet the program improves every week with this type of coaching. I agree with JC that the first couple of games could be rough with a complete rebuild. But the best teams are measured by how much they improve from the start of the season to the end. Last year's team just got worse each week. This one won't
Excellent as always.
Thank you.
Gorgeous opening photo, John. Like a piece of art, really.
But even more impressed by this guy's priorities. Nicely done.
Naji did it well.
Duck fan, but I'm definitely rooting for this guy...I hope their trajectory is competitive this year and conference champs in 3!
This is great stuff John! The more I hear and see Coach Shep, the more I like him. Seems like the whole attitude has changed at Oregon State for the better. Go Beavs!
It's going to be interesting to see how the two rookie coaches at Oregon State and Wazzu navigate their first seasons in the newly reconstituted Pac-12. 3 of the first 4 games for the Cougars are almost automatic losers. Thanks Pat Chun. The Beavers should be 2-2 after September. Good luck to both coaches. I like how both are approaching the season. And, thanks, John for your coverage of the Pac-12.