The Beavers have their OC under JaMarcus Shephard, and he is a product of Redmond High School.
Mitch Dahlen is headed home.
The former Alabama assistant quarterbacks coach and assistant offensive coordinator — a product of Redmond High School — was officially named the offensive coordinator for Oregon State on Thursday by new head coach JaMarcus Shephard. It marks Shephard’s first announced hire as coach.
The Oregonian/OregonLive first reported the news.
“I’m really excited to bring Mitch Dahlen in as our offensive coordinator,” Shephard said in a press release. “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 father, Chris, played football for the Beavers in the 1980s. His mother, Monica, is an OSU alum as well, and brother Matt played basketball for the Beavers from 2015-17.
After a football playing career as a quarterback for Utah and Southern Utah, Dahlen got his start in coaching as the passing game coordinator at Sandy High School back in 2011.
Dahlen has since made collegiate coaching stops at Black Hills State, Fresno State, Washington and Alabama, and played a crucial role in crafting some of the top passing offenses in the country for both the Huskies and Crimson Tide as they made runs into the College Football Playoff.
Dahlen will also serve as quarterbacks coach for OSU.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be coming back to a place I consider home,” Dahlen said in the release. “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.”
