The first domino of Oregon State head coach JaMarcus Shephard’s inaugural staff fell Thursday morning. The Beavers announced Mitch Dahlen, a former Alabama assistant, as their next offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. His promotion in Corvallis is his first fully-fledged offensive-coordinator role as a collegiate coach. Joining Oregon State also serves as a homecoming for […]
The first domino of Oregon State head coach JaMarcus Shephard’s inaugural staff fell Thursday morning. The Beavers announced Mitch Dahlen, a former Alabama assistant, as their next offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
His promotion in Corvallis is his first fully-fledged offensive-coordinator role as a collegiate coach. Joining Oregon State also serves as a homecoming for Dahlen, who played quarterback at Redmond High School and grew up a Beavers fan.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be coming back to a place I consider home,” Dahlen said in a statement. “I have spent many Saturdays in the stands at old Parker Stadium and to see how far this place has come is amazing. The history of this football program has been in my blood since I was a kid, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to lead this offense. Coach Shephard is a true leader of men and I am excited to get to work for one of the best coaches in the country. I am looking forward to hearing the chainsaw in front of a sold out Reser in the fall.”
Dahlen’s father, Chris, played football for the Beavers from 1982 until 1986 and his brother, Matt, played basketball at Oregon State (2015-17). His mother, Monica, attended the university as well.
“I’m really excited to bring Mitch Dahlen in as our offensive coordinator,” Shephard said in a statement. “He’s a bright, passionate coach who will help us take this offense to the next level. His ability to connect with players, teach the game and build a creative flexible system is exactly what we need as we set the foundation for this new era of Oregon State football. I can’t wait to see the impact he will make on our program.”
Dahlen’s coaching credentials
Dahlen served as the Crimson Tide’s assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach since head coach Kalen DeBoer accepted the position. He, along with Shephard, followed DeBoer to Tuscaloosa by way of the Washington Huskies following their 2023 National Championship berth. He held the same positions at Washington (2022-23) and Fresno State (2020-21) as he did at Alabama, working under DeBoer for the entirety of his Division 1 coaching career.
Over the course of his career under DeBoer, Dahlen coached and witnessed some of college football’s best quarterback play.
An NFL team drafted each of Dahlen, Shephard and DeBoer’s five starting quarterbacks since the 2020 NFL Draft. Dahlen worked with Jake Haener, a 2023 fourth-round pick by the Saints, at Fresno State. At Washington, Michael Penix Jr. led the nation in passing yards in 2023 and went eighth-overall to the Atlanta Falcons. The Seattle Seahawks selected Alabama’s Jalen Milroe in the third round of April’s draft after leading the Crimson Tide to a 9-4 record in 2024.
Dahlen replaces Ryan Gunderson, who held the same role under former head coach Trent Bray for two seasons. Gunderson played quarterback for the Beavers from 2003 until 2007.
Oregon State’s other (potential) staff moves
Dahlen is Oregon State’s first official hire to its new football regime.
Alabama’s associate director of player personnel, Eron Hodges, has not officially been announced as a staff member on Oregon State’s roster. However, Hodges’ social media accounts have actively shared Oregon State recruiting updates and his staff bio on Alabama’s website was recently deactivated. Hodges is expected to be named in a general manager-esque role, though Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes said the staff was “working on” on the official titles and descriptions.
CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz recently linked the Beavers to Lance Guidry, Miami’s defensive coordinator during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, for the same role. Zenitz also tabbed Ricky Brumfield as a prospective special-teams coordinator for Oregon State.
A university spokesperson declined to comment on Hodges, Guidry and Brumfield.
