Tale of the Tape: Beau Baldwin

This article marks the start of a several-article series, in which we shall break down each rumored Beaver head coach candidate. Thank you for joining! Now, strap in, and let’s get this journey started with Mr. Beau Baldwin.

Coaching Career

Beau Baldwin earned his first coaching role as the Quarterbacks Coach at Central Washington University, where he served as a Quarterback himself for the team during his playing years. Baldwin worked as the Quarterbacks Coach for the Wildcats till 2002. During his time there, he worked with quarterbacks including Jon Kitna and All-American Zak Hill. After the 2002 season, Baldwin left for the same position as the Quarterbacks Coach/Offensive Coordinator with Eastern Washington. Here, he spent another 4 seasons with the EWU Eagles that included 2 FCS playoff appearances before ultimately returning to Central Washington.

This time, Baldwin returned to his alma mater as the Head Coach for the Wildcats football team. He only served as the head coach for one season at Central Washington, yet he built a 10-3 record in his single season and took his team to the 2007 NCAA Division II Playoffs. The team ultimately lost, but CWU dominated the stats sheet in Baldwin’s lone season there. The Wildcats offense averaged 31.4 points per game while boasting an average of 398.5 total offensive yards per game.

In 2008, Baldwin left Central Washington to become the next Head Coach of Eastern Washington University. In his near-decade with the team, Baldwin turned the Eagles into an FCS powerhouse that was nestled away in the pacific northwest. During these 8 years, Baldwin amassed an 85-32 record with the Eagles, 5 Big Sky Conference Titles, and a national championship in 2010. Plus, Baldwin boasts several wins over FBS squads, including Washington State in 2016, and Oregon State in 2013 (And yes, we are still very bitter about that game). During, this span under Baldwin, the Eagles led the FCS in passing multiple times while ranking in the top 5 of total offense for 5 seasons.

James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Now, Baldwin is serving as the Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Coach for Cal Berkeley. The Bears have had a season that has far surpassed many’s expectations, including your’s truly. The Bears are one win away now from bowl eligibility, and a good chunk of that is due to the offensive play that Baldwin has orchestrated with Cal.

Likelihood to Oregon State?

High. Like, very high.

Beau Baldwin is a trendy name for head coaching candidacy, including fellow Pac-12 University, UCLA. Now, it seems Oregon State has come on strong on his trail.

In a recent interview, Baldwin shrugged off “rumors” of him going to Corvallis. "Mmm, interesting," Baldwin stated. "That's funny. Those are exactly what they are — rumors.

Now, it is natural that a Head Coach candidate blows off questions about interest with another team. However, connections that a candidate has may suggest more than what they let on. That may happen to be such the case here, as our current AD, Scott Barnes, worked with Baldwin at Eastern Washington from 2003 through 2005. And you better believe that Scotty-fresh has already reached out to Beau about this. Barnes would be foolish not to.

Baldwin boasts an impressive coaching resume, and another Head Coach position will undoubtedly be in his future. He commands respects from his players and coaches alike. Plus, he has served as an offensive guru for multiple teams throughout the years and mentored many successful collegiate quarterbacks. Baldwin has the accolades and the connections for this hiring to seem logical; and, frankly, sensible.

This hiring would make a ton of sense, as it will give the Beavs a proven leader that can craft an offense out of the tools he has. Baldwin highlighted the importance of using what you have with an offense when he started at Cal, "You've got to keep trying to learn and understand and try to evolve," Baldwin claimed. "You've got to make sure, too, that it fits within what you believe, and your system. We were always able to kind of intermix some new ideas, new things, but all the while, not lose the foundation of who we are.”

In this author’s opinion, Baldwin seems poised as the favorite for the position. His offensive prowess and coaching resume are awesome enough as it is. Yet, his connection to Scott Barnes may be what ultimately recruits him to Corvallis.

Stay tuned for future articles as we will break down more candidates for the Head Coach position.

Now, what do you think, Beavs? Is it #BeauOrBust for the Beavers? Sound off below!