Oregon State Coaching Search Draws Multiple Leads

College football's midseason coaching carousel has become unusually active, with eight Power Four jobs open and more than $169 million in buyouts after a string of midseason firings. High-profile midseason departures have included coaches such as Brian Kelly and James Franklin, fueling national upheaval and upward mobility for assistants and coordinators. Against that backdrop, Oregon State has launched a formal search for its next head coach, with leading candidates reported to include former Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst, former Beaver player/assistant Danny Cummings, and FCS-winning coach Brent Vigen. Chryst (67-26 at Wisconsin) remains a high-profile target, while Cummings is noted for OSU recruiting ties and Vigen for culture-building and sustained winning. Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein has been linked to multiple head-coaching opportunities and could be a realistic departure risk, increasing urgency for OSU to move quickly. With heavy buyouts and intense public scrutiny, schools are under pressure to find fits rapidly and more movement is likely before the season concludes.