The crushing reality of a 0-7 start: Oregon State's head coach Trent Bray faces mounting questions about his job after a devastating blowout defeat at the hands of Wake Forest. It's a season spiraling into despair for the Beavers, and fans are left wondering if Bray can turn things around—or if it's time for a change. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Bray's unwavering commitment to hard work enough, or is the program in need of a fresh shake-up? Dive in as we unpack his post-game insights, and prepare to rethink what loyalty means in the face of relentless losing.
In the heart of Corvallis, following Oregon State's recent thrashing by Wake Forest on Saturday, coach Trent Bray stood before reporters, grappling with the fallout of a 0-7 record and 13 losses in his last 14 games. The Beavers, once a powerhouse in college football, are at a nadir, and Bray's responses painted a picture of a team—and a leader—struggling to reclaim their footing. Let's break down his comments step by step, making sense of the football lingo and strategies for those new to the game, while highlighting the raw honesty in his words.
Bray kicked off by acknowledging the stark truth: 'Just not good. Not good on any front. Congrats to Wake Forest. They played well and we didn’t.' It's a blunt admission that, despite the opponent's solid performance, Oregon State simply couldn't match it, setting the tone for a session filled with introspection.
When asked about running back Anthony Hankerson's showing, Bray noted improvement: 'He is a little bit healthier than he’s been, so back to his normal juice a little bit in his legs. He did a nice job.' For beginners, 'juice in his legs' means Hankerson has regained his explosive speed and power, a boost that's crucial for breaking tackles and gaining yards on the ground.
On the topic of Wake Forest's lengthy touchdown drives—those plays that stretch the field and score big—Bray didn't mince words: 'I’m with you. The first one, the coverage, we should have had the guy doubled. It’s hard. It’s tough, it is.' In football terms, 'coverage' refers to how defenders position themselves to stop receivers, and 'doubling' a player means assigning two defenders to one target to prevent a catch. Bray admits it was a fundamental error, one that felt particularly frustrating in such a lopsided game.
A sensitive question followed: Had the players given up on the coaching staff? Bray responded thoughtfully: 'I don’t think so. Just by going through the week. I’ve got to watch the film to have a better evaluation of what that looked like. It didn’t feel like it on the field, but I’ve got to evaluate that.' This underscores the importance of game film—recorded footage reviewed post-game—to dissect plays objectively, separating gut feelings from facts. It's a reminder that motivation can sometimes be masked by performance.
Delving into the defensive breakdowns that led to those big plays, Bray kept it simple: 'Just coverage. Guys busting. Very simple stuff. Guys busting loose with no one near. Disappointing.' Here, 'busting' means defenders failing to stay in position, allowing receivers to run free. For those unfamiliar, good coverage is like a well-oiled machine where every part syncs to prevent easy scores—when it fails, it's often due to small mistakes that snowball.
As for climbing out of this hole, Bray emphasized perseverance: 'The only way is to keep working. I know that gets old and tired, probably, hearing it from me, but that’s really the only way to get through things.' It's a classic coach's mantra, stressing that consistent effort, even when results are absent, is key to building resilience. Think of it like training for a marathon: You might not see progress daily, but steady work pays off.
On quarterback decisions, Bray clarified there's no full swap planned: 'We’re not considering a full-blown change. We talked about it earlier in the week that we wanted to get (Gabarri Johnson) in more. He’s a really good player. He’s dynamic. We saw some of that today with what he can do with his legs when things break down. Just want to play him in general more.' This highlights Johnson's dual-threat ability—his mobility to run the ball when passes fail—making him a versatile asset in tricky situations.
Explaining the lack of snaps from under center near the goal line (where the quarterback receives the ball directly from the center), Bray explained: 'Like anyone in the country, there is plays you can hit downhill from the gun. It gives you a little bit more option with the quarterback as a run threat to make that play 11-on-11.' 'Under the gun' means shotgun formation, where the quarterback lines up farther back for better pass protection or options. Choosing this allows the QB to act as a runner, turning the play into a balanced matchup instead of a predictable pass.
Regarding adjustments to Wake Forest's backup QB, Bray downplayed it: 'I don’t think that affected anything. The quarterback that played is an athletic guy, too. Very similar run game, very similar plays, it’s just a lack of execution.' In other words, the sub was just as capable, so the blame lies with Oregon State's own errors, not the opponent's personnel changes.
What about playing for pride in a lost season? Bray saw value: 'You’re a competitor, so you show up to play because you get an opportunity to.' It's a nod to the competitive spirit that drives athletes, even in futility—every game is a chance to prove oneself.
On bouncing back, he reflected: 'One, we get another opportunity. We talk about that a lot, being appreciative and grateful for that. That we get to play again. Because you never know when it’s over. You don’t get many of them in your life anyway. That’s one motivation that should be enough. But we’ve got to talk about we didn’t start fast, and that’s the second week that we buried ourselves early in the game with things we can control. We’ve got to get that fixed as a coaching staff, starting with me. I’ve got to get that fixed.' This is a profound point for any team: The importance of strong starts to avoid digging holes, and Bray takes ownership, placing the fix squarely on leadership.
The offensive line, a cornerstone of any football team, was a focal point: 'It’s an effort to find the combination that works, and consistently can do the work. And we want to rotate. There probably isn’t a group of five that is the guys. We’re searching for that group, for sure.' For newcomers, the O-line protects the QB and opens holes for runners; Bray admits they're experimenting with lineups, as no perfect five has emerged yet—much like finding the right puzzle pieces.
Expressing frustration with the program's state, Bray was candid: 'I’m frustrated. I’m disappointed. I look at myself, and I’ve got to fix it. It’s unacceptable to me where we’re at. That’s just how I look at it. What can I do? I’ve got to look at it. What can I do different to get these guys going?' Self-reflection is key here, showing a coach willing to innovate to reignite motivation.
Is this a motivational issue or just the toll of losses? Bray mused: 'I think to start the season the way we did, to lose, it can wear on you mentally. Just the last two weeks, you bury yourself early. All that self doubt starts creeping back in your head. At the beginning of the game, to start the game, they are fired up and ready to go. Bad things happen, and it’s natural to let those things creep in your head. That’s what you’ve got to fight against.' Mental resilience is crucial in sports; early mistakes breed doubt, a cycle that's hard to break but essential to address.
Finally, on his job security, Bray remained focused: 'I really don’t think about that. Those are out of my control, decisions that people make. I’m just going to show up until they tell me I can’t.' And this is the part most people miss—loyalty in coaching isn't about guarantees; it's about commitment until the end.
Looking ahead, Oregon State (0-7) faces Lafayette (5-2, FCS) on Saturday, October 18, at 7 p.m. PT in Reser Stadium. Catch it on The CW (Channel 32 in Portland). For more on the Beavers' season struggles, check out these related stories: Oregon State’s 2025 season hits a low point in blowout loss to Wake Forest; Ryan Leaf rips Maalik Murphy with Oregon State trailing Wake Forest: ‘It’s just so flippant’; and Wake Forest’s starting quarterback out against Oregon State.
As we wrap up, consider this: Should coaches like Bray be given more time to rebuild, or is the loyalty he shows blinding him to the need for change? Some argue his self-accountability is refreshing, while others see it as a sign the program needs external intervention. What do you think—does hard work trump talent and results, or is it time for a new voice? Share your thoughts in the comments; let's debate the future of Oregon State football! If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
