Oregon State Football: Barnes Looks to Lock Up Coaching Staff

With Oregon State coming off their best season since 2014, Athletic Director Scott Barnes is taking steps to secure the team’s future. Those steps include a new contract for Head Coach Jonathan Smith, and more money for the team’s assistant coaches.

In an interview with The Oregonian, Barnes outlined his plans. Coach Smith has 3 years left on his contract, but it looks like he’ll be getting a raise and an extension.

Barnes is also looking to increase the amount of money the school pays out to its assistant coaches. Currently pays $3.3 million to its assistants, and with many of them on contracts that are about to expire, now’s the time to sweeten the pot.

Some of the coaches with expiring contracts include Wide Receivers Coach Kefense Hynson, Running Backs Coach Michael Pitre, and Linebackers Coach Trent Bray. Those units were some of the strongest on the team this season, and ensuring continuity is going to be important if the team wants to improve in 2020.

Also in need of new contracts are Offensive Line Coach Jim Michalczik, Defensive Line Coach Legi Suiaunoa and Special Teams Coach Jake Cookus. The remainder of the coaching staff will be on the last year of the three year contracts they signed when Smith put together his staff.